A shortage of relief teachers is causing problems for Northland schools - with rural and Māori schools the worst affected.
A survey of 80 schools over one week has found 92 classrooms with teachers absent for one or more days and no relievers available.
The Principal of Whangarei's Manaia View School, Leanne Otene, says she has just one reliever to call on where she used to have many.
She says sometimes principals can step in and teach for a day.
She told RNZ Northland reporter Lois Williams that often when no relief teacher is available, classes have to be split between other classrooms, and that's upsetting for the children - particularly those with special needs.
