Police say the investigation is in its early stages. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
A teacher at Kingsway School, a state-integrated Christian school in Auckland's North Shore, has been placed on leave following a police investigation into allegations of assault.
The police said the investigation was in its early stages, and they were speaking to victims and witnesses involved.
Principal Graeme Budler said the allegations concerned four students and related to "outdated disciplinary practices that do not align with our school's values, professional teaching standards, or New Zealand law".
He said the school took allegations of misconduct very seriously and had followed proper process, including swiftly notifying appropriate authorities.
Budler said the teacher involved had been placed on paid leave, and the school had offered counselling support to everyone affected.
"We received a complaint on 29 January and stood the teacher down the same day to undertake our own investigation.
"Once we understood the nature of the complaint more fully we followed our school policies and began notifying external agencies such as the police, which was six business days later on 7 February."
Kingsway School had a junior campus in Silverdale and a senior campus in Red Beach, on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula.
