Stuart Smith
National MP
Kaikoura
Below is Stuart Smith’s response.
When parents send their children to school in New Zealand, they expect them to be in a safe and encouraging environment, where they can develop, learn and ultimately reach their potential.
Stuff recently revealed that a rapist was hired as a teacher aide by the school’s principal – who was a relative and knew about his past actions. What makes it more concerning is that students and parents were allegedly not informed.
There are clear rules around doing police checks for any staff at schools who come into contact with children, but ultimately it is up to the employer who decides who they employ – the school’s board of trustees.
Boards should be fully empowered and supported to deal with these types of situations that arise, but it seems in this case, it fell short.
From what Stuff reported, it seems that there was an apparent conflict of interest between the principal and the teacher aide – although the board disputes this.
Conflicts of interests within government and government departments have been in the spotlight lately, and rightly so. Even potential conflicts of interest can severely undermine public trust and confidence in our democracy and public service. The same applies to schools and their boards.
New Zealand has a Public Service Commissioner who looks into such incidents, and it would be my expectation that they, or a similar entity, consider looking into how a school and its principal could hire a relative, with a serious criminal conviction, as a teacher aide.
I’m aware of many local junior sports clubs who ensure that their coaches and managers go through police vetting prior to coaching kids, and, if a criminal record is found, they are turned away on the spot.
It seems there was a lack of oversight in this case and a rapist was able to spend upwards of 30 hours a week with children in a position of authority.
If sex offenders or rapists are able to work in schools, despite having a criminal record, it is my personal opinion that this law should be reviewed. Parents should feel confident when sending their children to school that they are in a safe environment.
