Statistics from the newly formed Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (Educanz) show two Otago teachers received convictions for alcohol/drug offences, one for dishonesty/fraud offences and one for sexual behaviour/contact during 2014.
But in 2015, the number of Otago teachers receiving convictions doubled, with six receiving convictions for alcohol/drug offences, one for a driving offence, and one for dishonesty/fraud.
Nationwide, the number of teacher convictions had declined from 152 in 2014 to 105 in 2015.
Educanz teacher practice manager Andrew Greig said teachers held a position of trust, so it was right they should come under public scrutiny with an expectation of exemplary professional behaviour.
However, the large majority of teachers took their position of trust very seriously, and only a very small number behaved inappropriately, he said.
"There are around 103,000 registered teachers in New Zealand, and teachers make up one of the biggest professional groups in this country.
"Relative to these numbers, the portion of teachers involved in disciplinary processes is minuscule.''
Mr Greig said teachers convicted of an offence with a maximum penalty of three months or more in prison were referred to the Education Council's Complaints Assessment Committee (CAC) which could propose agreements which include censure, conditions on the teacher's practising certificate, or annotation on the register.
For more serious convictions, it could also refer teachers to the disciplinary tribunal, or to an assessor for a competence assessment, he said.
Mr Greig said two teachers in Otago had their registration cancelled by a disciplinary tribunal in 2014 - one for an alcohol/drug conviction, the other for a sexual conviction.
Agreement was reached with a third teacher in Otago in 2014, for a dishonesty/fraud conviction.
But in 2015, only one Otago teacher was censured by the disciplinary tribunal, which placed conditions on the teacher's practising certificate for a dishonesty/fraud conviction.
Overall, Mr Greig said the number of New Zealand teachers having their registration cancelled due to convictions had decreased from 14 in 2014 to just three in 2015.
However, 18 cases remain ongoing with the CAC, and five have not yet been heard by the disciplinary tribunal, he said.
Mr Greig said Educanz aimed to lift the status of the teaching profession through recognition of the important roles quality teaching and educational leadership play in contributing to the wellbeing of our communities.
Otago Primary Principals' Association chairman Hamish McDonald said there was no need for alarm over the increase in numbers in 2015.
He said there was certainly a higher percentage of convictions brought to the attention of the Education Council in 2015 compared with the 2014 data, but the type of convictions in 2015 were less serious than those in 2014.
"When looking at these results, the type of conviction does need to be considered.
"Furthermore, it is reassuring that such concerns are being followed up by the Education Council, as an external body delegated the authority to verify the nature of these convictions and the capacity for persons to continue working within our profession, as is seen fit by the code of conduct and competence, adhered to by the teaching profession.''
