An Otago teacher was among 18 nationwide deregistered in 2016.
Education Council New Zealand statistics released under the Official Information Act show seven teachers were deregistered for inappropriate behaviour (sexual non-contact); seven for sexual behaviour (sexual contact); one for fraud/dishonesty; two for relationship and employment matters; and one for a conviction involving "other" behaviour.
The Otago teacher deregistered was former King’s High School provisionally registered teacher Toni June Finch. She was censured and her registration was cancelled in November, following a sexual relationship with a year 13 pupil.
Education Council New Zealand teacher practice manager Andrew Greig said nationwide, 101 teachers received criminal convictions in 2016.
Two were Otago teachers — one received a criminal conviction for a driving/alcohol offence, and the other for an "other" offence. Neither was deregistered for their convictions.
Nationwide, the number of teachers receiving convictions appears to have declined over the past four years, dropping from 199 in 2013 to 101 in 2016.
The number of Otago teachers receiving criminal convictions during the past four years, has also decreased from six to two.
Mr 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.
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 101,000 practising 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, 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.
Mr Greig said the Education Council 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.
The numbers
Otago teacher criminal convictions (2007-16)
2007 3
2008 6
2009 4
2010 7
2011 2
2012 10
2013 6
2014 2
2015 5
2016 2
