Teaching Council’s failings indefensible

MEDIA RELEASE

13 October 2026  

Teaching Council’s failings indefensible

The Parents' Alliance says the Teaching Council's apology to the victims of Timothy Fisher is long overdue, and its handling of the case was indefensible.

It has been reported that Fisher was registered and later recertified as a teacher despite historical indecency convictions and a 2014 police warning that he should not have unsupervised access to children. He went on to abuse nine young girls.

 "Parents trust that if someone is working with their child in an early learning centre or a classroom, the Teaching Council has done its job. In this case it didn't, and children paid the price," said Cameron Bagrie, Chair of The Parents' Alliance.

"When this first came to light, the Teaching Council insisted no mistakes were made. That is indefensible. Things were clearly so bad that the Minister had to take charge, and she was right to do so."

“The Teaching Council has badly let down children, parents and the many good teachers whose professional body is meant to uphold their standards. An apology is a start. What matters now is that every recommendation is implemented in full, and that parents can see it happening."

The Parents' Alliance is calling for public reporting on progress against each recommendation, and for child protection to be the council's clear, legislated top priority.

“"Whoever forms the next government must keep these reforms in place and not roll them back in response to pressure from certain parts of the sector. Listen to parents - child safety cannot be up for negotiation."

ENDS

Media contact: Cameron Bagrie, Chair and Spokesperson, The Parents’ Alliance 027 290 9844

About the Parents' Alliance: The Parents' Alliance, Te Kotahitanga o ngā Mātua, Le Lotogatasi o Mātua, 家长联盟, पारिवारिक मंच is a national group building a collective voice for parents, grandparents and whānau in education.

More information: parentsalliance.nz