Auckland school students suspended over 'racist' fight

Two Takapuna Grammar students have been stood down after a fight, allegedly fuelled by racist taunts, which was videoed.

The fight, which involved two Year 11 students late last week, was watched by up to 20 other students and captured on video which has been passed around the school.

A witness, who did not want to be identified, said she saw a boy pushing a Zimbabwean student and taunting him in the moments before the fight.

"He was saying 'fight me, fight me'."

The witness said it looked like the Zimbabwean student didn't want to fight but the other boy kept pushing him.

Before long the pair were punching each other in the schoolyard, outside a classroom.

She said the fight lasted for about 5 minutes before some of the students stepped in and broke it up. A teacher arrived soon after.

"[The other boy] got heaps of cuts and bruises all over his face and there was blood."

The girl said the Zimbabwean student, who did not appear to be injured, had previously been picked on.

"I think [the other boy] was bullying him for a couple of days."

The Herald has been told by several students that the fight was racially motivated.

Takapuna Grammar principal Simon Lamb acknowledged the fight took place. Police were not called, he said, but the two students involved had been stood down.

The Herald understands one of the students was stood down for three days and the other for a week.

"We have a low level of tolerance for this behaviour," said Mr Lamb. "Consequently, this is a very rare occurrence at Takapuna Grammar School."

Mr Lamb said the school was "disappointed" the fight was videoed and was now circulating within the school. "We are actively pursuing this matter."

Two years ago, 17-year-old Takapuna Grammar student Toran Henry was found dead after a fight which was also videoed and circulated.

The teen's death shocked students and parents and also brought to light an "unofficial fight club" organised by about a dozen students and operating in secret at the school.

Toran's death prompted criticisms at the time from his mother about the way the school handled his mental health issues, but an independent report found there was little more the school could have done for him.