School’s toxic atmosphere

Probe into NZ Broadcasting School uncovers bullying and sexism among students

We acknowledge and regret the impact this behaviour has had on a number of our students. Darren Mitchell, Ara acting chief executive

An independent report into a top broadcasting school has revealed serious allegations including racist comments, sexual harassment, and an atmosphere ripe for bullying behaviour.

The New Zealand Broadcasting School, which is part of the Ara Institute of Canterbury in Christchurch, yesterday released the findings of an independent review sparked by Herald reporting last year.

The 64-page document holds accounts from 51 current and former students and staff and covers the period from February 2019 to October 2021.

Investigator Richard Raymond, QC, wrote that one student’s allegations were “undoubtedly bullying” and also involved sexist and derogatory comments.

“A tutor was often present, and is alleged to have ‘chuckled along with the boys’,” he wrote.

A different student said he witnessed bullying against another student which “never stopped . . . it was awful”.

“This was confirmed by others. The student is adamant the tutors in the stream were aware of it,” the report said.

Overall the investigator made 60 recommendations, all of which have been accepted by Ara, which said they will be fully implemented.

Ara acting chief executive Darren Mitchell said it was simply unacceptable to have the type of behaviours that were reported to Raymond take hold and go unchecked by staff.

“We acknowledge and regret the impact this behaviour has had on a number of our students.”

Also detailed in the report was what several students described as a “boys’ club” culture, where women at the school frequently felt sexually objectified by comments directly made or inferred by male students.

He said this amounts to sexual harassment.

The report found no allegations of bullying nor sexual harassment toward students from tutors in the past three years.

It did receive evidence a “small minority” of tutors in some streams allowed a culture to prevail in class which enabled bullying and also sexual harassment by some students.

“And the making of sexist and inappropriate comments by some students and a minority of tutors. To a much lesser extent, that culture also enabled some racist comments.”

A separate student, from several accounts, was repeatedly and cruelly bullied, sexually harassed and subject to sexist and inappropriate remarks throughout their time at NZBS, the review heard.

Mitchell said: “Every student and every staff member, has a right to expect that their health, safety, and wellbeing will be prioritised by Ara.

“We are committed to acting quickly and decisively to rectify the findings from this investigation.”

Mitchell said a number of actions have already been completed or commenced since the investigation began.

“We are well progressed in updating the Code of Professional Practice as well as our policies relating to inappropriate behaviours.

“We have also moved quickly to appoint live-in management to the student accommodation facility, and extra resource to the NZBS to support the school in responding to relevant recommendations.”