The number of students being stood down from school is at the highest its ever been according to Ministry of Education figures.
School stand-downs are the formal removal of students for up to five days, and the hike is being attributed to pupils caught vaping, smoking or drinking alcohol.
In 2022 the figure was equivalent to almost 3.3 stand-downs for every 100 students.
That's the highest in more than 20 years of records.
Secondary Principals Council chair Kate Gainsford spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
