New Measures to Protect Children in Schools Announced by Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Brooke van Velden, has announced significant steps to enhance the protection of children and young people from harmful offenders in educational settings. The Department of Internal Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the New Zealand Teaching Council to streamline information sharing about individuals under investigation for offences related to child sex abuse material.
Previously, the process required the Department to notify the New Zealand Police, who would then contact the Teaching Council. The new arrangement allows the Department to share information directly with the Teaching Council, enabling immediate intervention and faster action to safeguard children from potential harm.
“The safety of children and young people is a top priority for this Government. This is a common sense action to protect students by removing potential offenders from the school environment as soon as possible,” said Minister van Velden.
The updated protocol also facilitates the sharing of intelligence on trends in child exploitation, which could aid investigations affecting schools. Additionally, the Teaching Council will now share information with the Department about educators under investigation for digital activities that pose a risk to children.
“This agreement will be effective immediately and sets the foundation for ongoing cooperation between the two organizations to improve the safety of children and young people,” van Velden added.
The Department will continue to notify the New Zealand Police directly, ensuring a comprehensive approach to protecting children in educational environments.