Stab victim under fire

Avondale College, Auckland. Photo / Herald on Sunday

The teacher stabbed by a Korean student at Avondale College has been criticised in an inquiry into the incident.

The Herald on Sunday has been told a report - carried out by Auckland University law professor Bill Hodge - raises concerns about aspects of teacher Dave Warren's behaviour.

The college commissioned the report to investigate what might have spurred 17-year-old South Korean Tae Won Chung to stab Warren in March last year - and to ensure the school is a safe environment.

It is understood the report cost thousands of dollars and was the result of several months' work.

The report found the college is a safe place but raised concerns about some aspects of Warren's behaviour. In the report, Hodge recommends Warren be warned and be helped with professional development.

Warren didn't return calls to the Herald on Sunday and Avondale College wouldn't discuss the report.

Chung's lawyer David Jones QC said this week he was deported in May after serving half of his 18-month jail term. Chung and his father were interviewed by Hodge for the report before they left New Zealand, said Jones.

He praised Avondale College for commissioning the report and said he would not be surprised if Hodge had criticised some aspects of Warren's behaviour.

During the court case it was alleged Warren had been "culturally insensitive" and "pretty inflammatory" in some remarks to Chung.

There was an incident where Chung had dozed off and Warren woke him with the warning that he'd be dead if he slept while the North Korean Army attacked, said Jones.

Warren had spoken to Chung about South Korea's military training and how he would be conscripted if he returned home, which had caused the teenager anxiety, said Jones.

Warren was admitted to hospital and required medical treatment for some time after being attacked by Chung. He was stabbed in the back while he was teaching a class. Medical experts later told him the knife had curved in his shoulder and nicked his spine. He is still recovering but is back in the classroom on reduced duties.

The Herald on Sunday revealed in October that Warren had been the subject of further concerns over alleged insensitive remarks.

At the time of the stabbing, Avondale principal Brent Lewis had publicly said there would be a full inquiry in time.

Hodge confirmed he did the report but would not talk about it. Lewis and new board chairman Kevin Glubb also could not yet comment on the report.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is working on guidelines around search and seizure of students suspected of carrying weapons or drugs.

rachel.grunwell@hos.co.nz