End-of-year school pranks escalate

Police were called to a Catholic school while at another college scantily-clad schoolgirls held their version of an undie-run as end-of-year pranks escalate in Tauranga.

A police spokeswoman said officers were called to address disorder at Aquinas College yesterday about 10.45am after reports a group of young people were running around the school, playing pranks disrupting others from exams.

Principal Ray Scott could not be reached before publication last night.

About 11.15am, a group of girls dashed across the Tauranga Boys' College's field between Cameron Rd and Devonport Rd in various states of undress. Some wore shirts, skirts and pants while others were in their underwear.

A police spokeswoman said police had received a report about groups of schoolgirls heading to the boys' school to cause mischief.

A bystander said he saw about 20 to 30 teenage girls running across the field.

The incident is the latest in a string of end-of-year pranks attracting attention throughout New Zealand.

Last week, a group of topless Hamilton schoolgirls rode dirtbikes through a boys' school. One of the bikes ran a boys' student over and injured his leg.

At Bethlehem College, a group of students wearing animal masks and carrying water guns were likened to Islamic State (ISIS) during their school's end of year prank.

Tauranga Boys' College principal Robert Mangan was also unavailable for comment before publication.