Charity could be sunk by boss’s lewd behaviour 

 

BY JULIA WADE

Volunteers excited to sign up and sail around the Pacific islands on a humanitarian mission in 2017 reportedly had their dream shattered by abuse and bullying at the hands of the mission’s leader – a charismatic man from Mangawhai. 

A recent Stuff investigation has revealed Craig Koning, founder of Mangawhai-based charity Floating Foundation (FF), subjected the mainly female crew to verbal and psychological abuse as well as singling out women as young as 17 for sexual attention while sailing to Tonga in 2017.
 
Several female crew and volunteers, who paid $120 per day to be onboard the vessel for an 11 or 12-day outreach, reported feeling increasingly anxious, stressed and depressed from the charity leader’s volatile and inappropriate behaviour. 

One female crew member says Koning walked in and stayed in the bathroom while she was in the shower and also suffered physical injuries after being thrown from the boat by him during a night of excessive drinking. Koning defended his actions however saying they had just been ‘playing around’. 
A male crew member of FF even advised Koning to leave the boat as he feared a mutiny was developing. 

Although operating for four years, Koning established headquarters for the charity at his mother’s Mangawhai home in May last year where the 33-year-old often stayed, running FF via online and recruiting volunteers from all over the world. The organisation was set up to help empower local Pacific communities with humanitarian projects and deliver medical aid to remote islands as well as conduct scientific research into the island marine life.

However the charity is now adrift with major sponsor, printing firm Ricoh pulling their support and FF social media pages and website taken down following the Stuff investigation. 

Internal Affairs will investigate the complaint if a breach of the Charities Act 2005 is found and there is a possibility FF could lose its charity status. Koning may also face allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse while in position of power and failing to provide a safe work environment.
 
Floating Foundation board members say they are concerned for the emotional welfare of crew members and reputation of the charity and have recommended Koning not attend the 2018 expedition in August. However Koning, who has admitted he is disgusted by his inappropriate behaviour and alleges he is attending therapy, is determined to sail on this year’s mission. 

 For further details on this story visit stuff.co.nz 

Charity founder Craig Koning could face charges over his conduct. (PHOTO/Facbook)