The Teachers Council says that more than half of the criminal convictions held by current teachers relate to drink-driving.
Fifty-eight teachers have self-reported a conviction to the council during the past two years, including convictions for indecent assault on a student and for threatening to kill.
Council director Peter Lind says, however, that most of the convictions are for far lesser offences. At least 60% stem from drink-driving charges, he says, and many relate to first-time offenders.
The council handles any complaints laid about the 96,000 registered teachers in New Zealand - each of whom must by law disclose any criminal conviction that carries a punishment of at least three months' imprisonment.
