Complaints by a Member of the Public

If you have concerns about a teacher's professional conduct, competence, or physical or mental fitness to teach, you should first discuss these with the principal of the teacher's school, or head teacher/person responsible for the teacher's early childhood education setting.

Most complaints can be dealt with appropriately within the school/centre and the New Zealand Teachers Council does not need to be informed. If the matter is not resolved, you can lodge a complaint with the employer (eg the Board of Trustees).

Members of the Public can only make a complaint to the New Zealand Teachers Council if:

  • the complaint is about a teacher who is not currently employed by an employer; or
  • the complainant considers, on reasonable grounds, that the employer will not be able to deal with the complaint effectively because of an actual or perceived conflict of interest; or
  • the complaint has been made to the employer, but the complainant is not satisfied with the way in which the complaint is being, or was, dealt with; or
  • there are any other exceptional circumstances.

Preparing a complaint

The following must be included in your complaint:

  • your full name and contact details;
  • the name of the teacher you are complaining about;
  • the details of the complaint;
  • any action that you have taken; and
  • the outcome that you would like to see from the investigation.

Please note that complaints can not be anonymous and that all information provided in the complaint will be provided to the teacher concerned.

A complaint form can be used to help with your complaint.

Find out more about the Complaints Assessment Committee.

Find out more about the competence process.

The New Zealand Teachers Council normally sends the teacher a copy of all of the initial information that is received concerning him or her, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993 and the rules of natural justice. The teacher must be given an early opportunity to answer the allegations that have been made against him or her, and an opportunity to correct any information held on his or her file. The New Zealand Teachers Council will not generally consider any documents that the teacher has not seen. If you require any additional clarification of this aspect of the process, please contact the New Zealand Teachers Council.