Heather du Plessis-Allan

We have new figures that suggest the use of physical restraint in schools may be on the rise.

Ministry data shows that students have been restrained 9,378 times since rules came into force in 2023.

Now that works out at an average of 15 incidents a day.

Pat Newman is the spokesperson for Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association and with us.

Morning, Pat.

How does this compare to the old days?

Is this worse?

Yeah, which really doesn't sound that bad, does it?

Yeah.

I mean, this is the thing though, Pat, this is at the far end of stuff that teachers and staff have permission to restrain kids, right?

So this is no indication of what's actually going on bad behaviour-wise in schools.

What do you mean by trauma and abuse?

I mean, I know what abuse is, but what kind of trauma?

And how does that compare, Pat, to the good old days?

Yeah, so you're only getting a quarter back and spending a lot more.

Pat, listen, thank you for talking us through it.

I really appreciate it.