I think I have been wrongly treated by my teacher. What can I do?

In most cases, a complaint about a teacher must first be made to the school.  Each school should have a complaints policy available on its intranet or website (which should identify who to direct complaints to, and what you can do if your complaint is not resolved). Often, this policy will say that you have to talk to your teacher directly if you have an issue (though we recommend you do this only if you feel safe to do so). The next step would be the principal and then the Board of Trustees. 

If a complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved, information as to how to make a complaint to the Education Council is available here: https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/reporting-concern.  

Schools are required to report certain complaints about their teachers and possible serious misconduct (whether or not a complaint has been made) to the Education Council.
 
The Education Council may refer a report or complaint received to the Complaints Assessment Committee.  The Complaints Assessment Committee has a number of powers ranging from resolving to take the matter no further to referring the matter to the Disciplinary Tribunal.  Referral must be made to the Tribunal where there is a possibility of serious misconduct. Again, the Disciplinary Tribunal has the power to undertake a number of actions.  A full list of these powers is set out in section 404 of the Education Act 1989.  For example, the Tribunal may refer the teacher for a competency review, order that the teacher's authority to practice be revoked, or impose a fine on the teacher.  The Tribunal also has the power to resolve not to take the matter any further.