Police have charged the host father of a Chinese high school exchange student following an alleged assault that left the boy with a split lip and bruising.
Ziyu Qian, 15, now says he is worried about other international students after being beaten and abused by the man at
the home of his host family in Hokitika, TV3 reported last night.
Qian was in the middle of an online phone conversation with his father in China when the assault took place, allowing the father to tape the incident.
During the recording, the man can be heard yelling and swearing at Qian, while his host mother can be heard appealing for him to stop.
"Call the police, you do not assault anybody," the host mother can be heard saying.
Qian said he was punched about five times about the head and ear.
The Westland High School student is staying with friends in Christchurch over the school holidays, while the school finds him another host family.
Principal Tony Guilland said the school believed it had robust systems in place, and the incident was "devastating".
Qian said he was concerned for other international students.
More than 15,000 international students are attending high schools around New Zealand.
- NZPA
