Auckland man Craig Koning convicted of raping ex-partner

WARNING: PAIN CONTENT

Craig Koning, a man from Auckland, has been found guilty of raping his ex-girlfriend.

Koning, 36, was convicted by majority verdict of two rape counts related to an incident in 2004 when he was dating Amy Coronakes.

He went to trial in Auckland District Court.

On Monday afternoon at 3.55 pm, the court heard that the jurors were unable to reach a unanimous decision.

After that, Judge June Jelas told the 12 jurors that she would accept a majority decision.

The jury continued its deliberations until this afternoon.

Coronakes, 34, waived his right to automatic name suppression when the trial began last week.

Jurors heard that Coronakes claimed that Koning became enraged and threw food on the floor of her apartment after she surprised him and a friend by showing up with a homemade meal.

The Crown alleged that Koning raped her on the same floor 16 years ago.

“Looking back, I feel a bit of an idiot for trying to get her to bring food,” Koning said last week as she testified in her own defense.

“I would not say I mistreated her. I would say it was an overreaction.”

But at trial, Koning denied the rape and rejected suggestions that he used the suicide threat to persuade Coronakes to keep quiet after the sexual assault.

‘Amy was telling the truth’

Outside of court, Coronakes’ mother, Glenis Parker, said she was incredibly proud of her daughter.

“Amy was telling the truth and they believed her. I’m proud that Amy shows up and tells the truth.

“This case was about Amy.”

Coronakes now lives in Australia, but was aware of the verdicts within moments of the jury’s decisions.

Parker said the trial and trial process was the most difficult experience he had encountered.

The guilty verdicts mean that Koning’s past and profession can now be reported.

On his LinkedIn page, he described himself with a background in DJing, event and party planning, and browsing.

He established the Floating Foundation, a charity that he said served the needs of remote communities.

In 2018, allegations surfaced that Koning was behaving inappropriately with various women who worked with him.

Accusations that he was quickly enraged surfaced frequently at his trial.

But jurors were not informed of previous reports about Koning’s role in the Floating Foundation.

In 2018, Koning admitted that he treated women badly and behaved inappropriately.

In an interview with the Sunday Star-Times, he admitted to heavy drinking and said he had to change.

Koning remained silent and expressionless as the verdicts were announced Tuesday afternoon.

No sentencing date was set, but Judge Jelas told Koning that he would likely be sentenced in the new year.

Where to get help:

• If it is an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
• If you have ever been sexually assaulted or abused and need to speak to someone, call the confidential Safe to Talk crisis helpline at: 0800 044 334 or text 4334 (available 24/7 weekdays)
• Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a variety of confidential support in New Zealand centers; find the closest one here.
• Mosaic – Personal Care: 0800 94 22 94 (available from 11:00 to 20:00)
• Alternatively, contact your local police station
• If you have been abused, remember that it is not your fault.