Search and confiscation
All schools have to provide a safe physical and emotional environment for students and staff.
Schools can search and confiscate student property providing you comply with the legislation and you can justify your actions as reasonable and necessary to keep the environment safe.
Conducting random searches of any person without reasonable cause is a breach of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
Education and Training Act 2020, sections 105-114 – Legislation website
Search and confiscation (PDF, 1MB) – Ministry of Education
Updated: August 2020
