ACT proposes new powers for teachers to remove disruptive students

Sunday 2 August 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Sun 2 Aug, 1:15pm

In this story ACT Party, Paul Henry

The ACT Party proposes giving teachers legal protection to use reasonable and proportionate force to remove seriously or persistently disruptive students from classrooms. The policy would also allow for fines for parents, ranging from $300 to $3,000.

How they headlined it

11am1:15pm

1. NZ HeraldSun 2 Aug, 11:00am

   Act to allow teachers to use ‘reasonable force’ to remove ‘disruptive students’, fine parents up to $3000 (opens in new tab)

2. StuffSun 2 Aug, 11:00am

   Teachers could get new powers to remove disruptive students in ACT proposal (opens in new tab)

3. 1News via RNZSun 2 Aug, 1:15pm

   ACT policy would see 'reasonable force' used to remove unruly students (opens in new tab)