Dunedin principal Heidi Hayward created a huge stir late last month when she wrote an open letter to four government ministers highlighting areas of deep concern. She says she wrote the letter out of a sense of "hopelessness", claiming some of her pupils are living in homes where drugs are used and dealt.
The Dunedin North Intermediate principal wrote:
"There was a time when I took solace in the belief that while I could not educate some of the at risk children, I could at least provide comfort, safety and security for them five days a week"
Heidi Hayward and YouthLaw Aotearoa solicitor Kenton Starr join me for a conversation about what more needs to be done to support 'at risk' school students.