ADHD Aotearoa

09/02/2026

Part 4: Chartered School vs Public School - Why self-management can fail in high-needs environments

New Zealand’s public school system is built on self-management, schools largely govern themselves under the Education and Training Act. While this model works in predictable, low-risk environments, it can create serious challenges in high-needs settings, including:

• Children with high behavioural or sensory needs
• Students experiencing complex trauma
• Staff under constant pressure
• Environments where safety incidents are more likely

When schools are left to self-manage without clear external accountability, risk is often transferred onto teachers, principals, families, and ultimately the child.

Chartered and private schools acknowledge these realities by design:

• Expectations are explicit and contractual
• Systems are planned in advance
• Responsibilities are clearly defined
• Failure to meet obligations has enforceable consequences

This isn’t about blaming public schools. It’s about recognising that different environments require different regulatory strength, and our most vulnerable learners deserve systems designed for reality, not ideals.

The reality is that many public schools still operate without fully robust, consistent health and safety systems. This is not about blaming staff or boards it’s about recognising a systemic gap that leaves children and staff at risk.

Our most vulnerable learners deserve health and safety standards that are clear, enforceable, and consistent across all schools. Addressing this gap should be a priority if we truly want every child to learn and grow in a safe environment.

08/02/2026

State Schools Considering Charter Status

A recent RNZ report shows that two state schools are currently in negotiations to convert to charter schools, with several others also exploring the option.

This illustrates why clear accountability systems matter. Some schools are seeking the structured governance frameworks that chartered status provides particularly for children with complex or high needs.

ADHD Aotearoa submitted to the government in 2023 advocating for chartered schools as a way to bridge the gaps in health, safety, and structured accountability in public schools.

This news shows that some schools themselves are looking for solutions along the same lines.

This is exactly the kind of structural difference we’ve been exploring in this series on health, safety, and accountability in schools.

Read more here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/572478/two-state-
schools-poised-to-become-charter-schools

The Charter School Agency says the schools applied to convert last year.

07/02/2026

Part 3: Chartered School vs Public School - Accountability handling complaints in schools

One of the clearest differences between public and chartered/private schools is how complaints are handled.

In public schools, under the Education and Training Act:

• Boards of Trustees hold primary responsibility for governance, including dealing with complaints.
• The Ministry of Education has limited ability to intervene.
• Families often must navigate the board themselves, which can be difficult, especially when children have high or complex needs.

This has meant that some families struggle to have serious concerns addressed fairly and consistently.

In chartered and private schools, the situation is different:

• Complaints can be raised directly with the Ministry of Education.
• The Ministry investigates complaints, ensures compliance, and can require corrective actions.
• This creates a clear, external accountability pathway, which increases transparency and consistency.

This isn’t about blaming public schools — it’s about showing how different systems assign responsibility differently, and how that affects vulnerable children and the staff who support them.

04/02/2026

Part 2: Chartered Schools vs Public Schools - Health and Safety in practice: bullying policies

One of the clearest ways to see how different school systems operate in practice is how they prevent and respond to bullying.
Bullying is one of the most common reasons families disengage from schools especially families of neurodivergent or disabled children.

In public schools, bullying policies exist, but:
• they vary widely between schools
• enforcement is inconsistent
• responses often depend on leadership capacity and resourcing
• families are frequently told to “work with the school” after harm has already occurred

In chartered and private schools, bullying cannot be treated as an afterthought.

They are required to have:
• a strategic bullying prevention and response plan
• clear procedures for reporting and escalation
• defined consequences and restorative processes
• evidence that the plan is actively implemented

This matters because bullying is not just a behaviour issue, it is a health and safety issue.

For children with additional needs, bullying increases:
• anxiety and school refusal
• trauma responses
• exclusion and disengagement
• long-term harm to learning and wellbeing

A policy on paper is not enough. A strategic plan with accountability changes outcomes.

02/02/2026

Part 1: Chartered schools vs Public schools - Governance and Accountability

One of the biggest misunderstandings in education debates is the idea that all schools operate under the same rules. They don’t.

Public schools

Under the Education and Training Act, public schools operate as self-governing entities. The Ministry of Education cannot interfere in the day-to-day running of schools, which is why Boards of Trustees are appointed and hold primary responsibility for governance, including health and safety.

In practice, this means health and safety systems depend heavily on each Board’s capacity and expertise, rather than on uniform, enforceable standards. As a result, health and safety is applied inconsistently across public schools and is often inadequately addressed particularly in high-needs and complex learning environments.

Chartered and private schools

Chartered and private schools operate under a different regulatory model.

Before a private or chartered school can be licensed or approved to operate, it must demonstrate that it has robust health and safety policies and procedures in place. These are assessed upfront, not developed later, and form part of the conditions under which the school is allowed to operate.

Chartered schools, in particular, operate under explicit contracts with the Crown. Those contracts require them to:

meet clearly defined health and safety standards

demonstrate how risks are identified and actively managed

show how staff and student wellbeing is protected

report, respond to, and learn from incidents in structured ways

This does not mean chartered schools are “better” than public schools. It means they are more directly accountable by design, with expectations that are clear, contractual, and monitored.

When a school is educating children with complex or high needs, accountability matters not because people don’t care, but because systems only improve what they are required to measure and manage.

31/01/2026

EDUCATION: Finally a Solution For Our Special Ones

Over the years I have raised serious concerns with government about how health and safety is applied in our education system, particularly for children with additional and high needs.

One of my key concerns has always been the inconsistency between sectors.

👉 Early childhood services are required to have strong, clear, enforceable health and safety procedures and protocols. They are regularly monitored and must actively demonstrate compliance.

👉 Public schools, however, operate very differently. The Ministry of Education has a Memorandum of Understanding with WorkSafe NZ, which in practice has meant that health and safety in schools has not been enforced with the same level of scrutiny or proactivity even though schools manage complex environments, vulnerable children, and staff safety every day.

From my perspective, this creates real risk for students and for teachers.

This is why I made a submission to government in 2023 and wrote directly to the Minister of Education at that time, David Seymour, advocating for chartered / specialist school options for special-needs learners.

Chartered schools are required to:
• Meet clear contractual health and safety obligations
• Comply with regulatory standards more aligned with early childhood services
• Demonstrate accountability in environments where children have complex needs

For families whose children do not thrive — or are not safe — in mainstream settings, choice matters. So does consistency. So does safety.

This article, and others like it, show that pressure, advocacy, and lived experience do make a difference. While no single model is perfect, we must be willing to look honestly at what is working, what isn’t, and where our most vulnerable learners are falling through the cracks.

Health and safety should never depend on the type of school a child attends. Finally a step in the right direction for our special tamariki and their whanau.

Further posts will explain more on this topic.

The announcement comes as school starts back for 2026.

31/01/2026

New Series Starting - Schools and Education

After my last series on roadside drug testing, I’m turning my attention to an issue I’ve been working on for years, how health, safety, and accountability are handled in our schools.

Over the next few posts, I’ll unpack differences between public and chartered schools, bullying policies, and why system design matters for vulnerable learners.

31/01/2026

✨ Welcome to 2026, ADHD Aotearoa whānau! ✨

Happy New Year and welcome back after the holiday break! We hope you’ve had time to rest, reset, and recharge in whatever way works best for you 💛

We’re stepping into 2026 with fresh energy, new conversations, and some exciting topic series lined up for the year ahead. This year we’ll be diving deeper into understanding and managing ADHD, navigating political systems, advocating for better support, and sharing practical tools that actually help in everyday life.

We also want to hear from you! Is there a topic or issue you’d like us to cover this year? Drop your ideas in the comments , your input helps shape what we explore together.

Thank you for being part of this community. Your voices, experiences, and support make this space what it is. Let’s make 2026 a year of growth, connection, and real change together 🌱

Stay tuned — there’s plenty coming!

17/12/2025

Post 8 — NZ Roadside Drug Testing: What You Need to Know

This series has been about understanding how roadside drug testing works in New Zealand, and what it means for drivers taking prescribed medications.

The latest news from the NZ Police explains how these roadside tests will be conducted. Remember:

Roadside tests are for substances, not prescription medications.

ADHD medications will not trigger a positive roadside test.

Laboratory testing can detect amphetamines or other prescription drugs only if a roadside test is positive for THC, methamphetamine, M**A, or co***ne, and a sample is sent for further analysis.

Police focus on impairment, not medical diagnosis.

If you are taking your medication as prescribed, there is nothing to fear, and the process is legal and clearly defined.

✅ Staying calm, knowing your rights, and following the legal process protects both you and other road users.

For the full news article on how police are rolling out the testing process, below is the article for you to read.

Thank you for following our series — Part of ADHD Aotearoa’s Drug Testing Series, reducing confusion, panic, and harm through evidence-based information.

Days before the new testing is to start, police warn drivers who refuse roadside drug testing may face significant fines,

16/12/2025

Post 7 — NZ Roadside Drug Testing Series

Opioids & Strong Pain Relief: Medical Use vs Driving Safety

Like sedatives and benzodiazepines, opioids and strong pain relief medications may be detectable and can affect driving.

Some people are prescribed these medications for legitimate health reasons, including:

Severe or chronic pain
Post-surgical recovery
Neurological or degenerative conditions

What drivers need to know:

These drugs may be detected

They can cause drowsiness, slowed reactions, or reduced alertness

Police focus on impairment, not diagnosis

🔹 Important Note:

Always follow prescribing advice

Avoid driving if you feel impaired

Carry a doctor’s letter or prescription proof

This protects both your legal rights and public safety.

Knowledge protects rights - informed drivers make safer choices.

Part of ADHD Aotearoa’s Drug Testing Series — reducing confusion, panic, and harm through evidence-based information.

16/12/2025

Post 6 — NZ Roadside Drug Testing Series

Benzodiazepines & Sedatives: Prescribed but Detectable

While ADHD medications are not detected at the roadside, some other prescription medications — such as sedatives and benzodiazepines — can trigger a positive test and may impair driving.

These medications are prescribed for conditions including:

Anxiety disorders
Panic disorders
Sleep disorders
Seizure conditions

What drivers need to know:

These medications can impair driving, especially when starting or changing dose

Detection may lead to a temporary driving prohibition

Lab testing and medical proof are essential protections

Being prescribed a medication does not automatically mean you cannot drive, but impairment always matters

Knowledge protects rights - informed drivers make safer choices.

Part of ADHD Aotearoa’s Drug Testing Series — reducing confusion, panic, and harm through evidence-based information.

15/12/2025

Post 5 — ADHD Medication & Roadside Drug Testing: What You Need to Know

Now that we’ve covered how roadside tests detect THC, methamphetamine, M**A, and co***ne, let’s look at ADHD medications — what the tests detect, and what it really means for drivers with ADHD.

Roadside drug testing is designed to detect the presence of certain substances, not prescribed medications.

This means ADHD medications will not trigger the roadside saliva test. Whether you take a standard or higher dose, the test simply isn’t looking for your prescription.

Laboratory testing can detect amphetamines — the active breakdown product of some ADHD medications — but only if a roadside test is positive for THC, methamphetamine, M**A, or co***ne, and your sample is sent for further analysis.

If you are taking your medication as prescribed, there is no cause for concern. The system has a clear, legal process, and taking prescribed medication is completely lawful.

The most important thing is to stay calm and go with the process. Understanding how these systems work helps reduce stress and ensures everyone is treated fairly.

Next post in the series: Practical steps ADHD drivers can take to protect themselves during roadside testing.

Part of ADHD Aotearoa’s Drug Testing Series — reducing confusion, panic, and harm through evidence-based information.