About the Disciplinary Tribunal
Learn about the Tribunal's independent role in disciplinary proceedings, the foundations that guide its work, and the people responsible for hearing and determining cases.
On this page
What is the Disciplinary Tribunal?
The Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body responsible for making disciplinary decisions about teachers. It operates independently of the Teaching Council and the Complaints Assessment Committee (CAC). When a matter regarding a registered teacher's conduct is referred by the CAC, the Tribunal's role is to hear and determine disciplinary outcomes under Part 5, Subpart 4, of the Education and Training Act 2020.
These proceedings, including the hearings, are fair and conducted like a court. There is one main panel that will hear the case. The Tribunal is led by a chairperson and there must be a registered teacher on the panel.
The CAC becomes the prosecuting body in the Tribunal, represented by a lawyer.
The teacher can represent themselves or may have a lawyer or representative to present their case.
Hearings are held in public, although the Tribunal can order that any particular evidence be heard in private.
The foundations of the Tribunal's work
The foundations of natural justice, access to justice, equality, and manaakitanga sit at the heart of the Tribunal's approach to its work.
- Natural justice provides the basis for a fair process.
- Access to justice supports people's ability to participate in that process.
- Equality helps ensure that people are not unfairly disadvantaged in doing so.
- Manaakitanga shapes the way people experience and are treated throughout proceedings.
Together, these foundations support fair and independent proceedings, meaningful participation, and the respectful treatment of everyone involved.
Disciplinary Tribunal members
| Chairperson | Deputy Chairs | Members |
|---|---|---|
Jamie O'Sullivan | Catherine Garvey James Gurnick Jo Hughson Tim MacKenzie Ian Murray | Louise Arndt Gael Ashworth Ross Brown Nichola Coe Lyn Evans Will Flavell Celeste Harrington Rose McInerney Teresa Rifle John Ruge Demian Shaver Kura Tuhura Simon Walker |
Relevant legislation and rules
The Disciplinary Tribunal operates under Part 5, Subpart 4, of the Education and Training Act 2020.
The Teaching Council Rules set out procedures relating to professional disciplinary and competence processes.
Both are available on the New Zealand Legislation website.
