The Otago Daily Times yesterday asked police to confirm they were investigating the allegation.
While not in a position to answer specific questions, Detective Senior Sergeant John Ferguson confirmed ''that they have received a complaint in relation to this allegation and are investigating it''.
In a joint statement yesterday afternoon, Otago Boys' High School rector Clive Rennie and board of trustees chairman Geoff Bates said: ''The school has been made aware that the police are investigating a historic complaint.
''The teacher concerned is not currently at the school.
''The school takes this matter seriously.
''The school has received very limited information about the nature of the historic complaint.
''It is currently seeking the release of information from the police so it can undertake its own investigation.''
