ACT policy would see 'reasonable force' used to remove unruly students
The ACT party in New Zealand has proposed a policy allowing teachers to use 'reasonable force' to remove disruptive students from classrooms. The party argues this will restore order and protect teachers, while explicitly stating it does not support corporal punishment.
Why it matters
The proposal sparks debate over classroom management, student rights, and the legal protections afforded to educators in the school system.
<p>ACT wants to give teachers the legal power to remove "seriously or persistently disruptive" students from a classroom.</p> <p><b>By Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira of </b><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/860702/act-candidate-paul-henry-unveils-plan-to-let-teachers-use-reasonable-force-on-little-shits" target="_blank"><b>RNZ</b></a></p> <p>The party's new policy would allow teachers to send disruptive students to a supervised space and staff would be protected when using a "reasonable and proportionate" intervention to prevent harm or destruction of property.</p> <p>Announcing the policy in Auckland on Sunday, <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/14/paul-henry-quits-tvnz-board-reveals-hes-standing-for-act-party/" target="_blank">ACT candidate Paul Henry</a> said the law would give teachers clear legal protections and the power to regain "order" in the classroom.</p> <p>"Let's be honest, there are a lot of little s**** in classrooms, and we need to address that if we're going to lift education standards.</p> <p>"Teachers need to know they're respected [and] they need to know the law is actually on their side."</p> <p>ACT would "clarify" the boundaries already set under Section 99 of the Education and Training Act 2020…
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