Nau mai, afio mai, welcome!

We’ve heard that learners and their whānau would like more support when engaging with our complaints process. This information page is for you as a learner, and your whānau, about the Teaching Council complaints process for raising issues or concerns about a teacher’s behaviour or teaching practice. We have developed two information videos specifically for you on the complaints process and on the Disciplinary Tribunal which is the process used when a teacher’s misconduct is considered serious. We also have transcripts of the videos in both English and Te Reo.

We also have an image that shows you what it looks like to be inside the room of a Disciplinary Tribunal hearing, and an overview image of the complaints and conduct process.

Our commitment to learners and whānau

It’s important to us that you feel safe and confident to engage with our teacher conduct process when it directly affects you. The key principles that help guide us are manaakitanga and whakawhiti kōrero:

Manaakitanga

We will show courtesy and compassion, and we will respect you as an individual and a member of your wider community. We will treat you with dignity and respect your privacy.

Whakawhiti kōrero

We will communicate with you openly and honestly and in a way that is comfortable and meaningful for you. We will let you know when we cannot help you and where you may be able to get further advice or support.

Get support

Our role is to make sure you have the right information when you’re involved in a teacher’s disciplinary process, so you know what’s expected of you and what your rights are. We’re here to provide you with information and our liaison staff can help you.

Watch these short videos to learn more about the complaints process and the Disciplinary Tribunal. Transcripts for the videos are available in English and in te reo Māori.

Transcripts: The complaints process  I  Te huarahi tāpae take 

Transcripts: The Disciplinary Tribunal  I  Te Rūnanga Whakatika Whaninga

If you’re involved in a teacher’s disciplinary case that has been referred to the Disciplinary Tribunal, our liaison staff can provide you with information on the case or about the Tribunal process generally. You can call our liaison staff in Wellington on 04 595 4987. If our liaison staff are busy when you call, you can leave a confidential phone message and we’ll get back to you by the next working day.

Because we investigate concerns raised about teacher behaviour or teaching, we can’t provide you with advice or emotional support. But the following agencies are just some of the organisations you can contact directly for advice or support:

• Skylight Resilience Hub or phone 0800 299 100
• Counsellors – refer to your school or the New Zealand Association of Counsellors or phone 04 471 0307
• Ministry of Education Regional Offices
• Oranga Tamariki or phone 0508 326 459
• Victim Support or phone 0800 842 846
• Citizens Advice Bureau or phone 0800 367 222
• Community Law to find details of your local office
• Youthline or phone 0800 376 633
• Mental Health Foundation 
• Voyce

Get in touch

For information about how to make a complaint about a teacher’s behaviour or practice and for our complaint form, visit this page about reporting a concern. In 2019 we are taking the Council online. This means there might be changes to how you make a complaint. We’ll make sure our website keeps you updated on any changes that will be designed to make the complaints process easier for you.

To speak with a Council liaison staff member about a conduct case that has impacted you directly, please call 04 595 4987 or send an email to competence@educationcouncil.org.nz.