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A new initiative to stamp out school bullying has been launched, following several recent high-profile cases.
The government has printed almost half a million anti-bullying pamphlets to be distributed to the nation's schools in an effort to combat bullying.
Resource cards called Step Up, Be Safe, will be given to all students from year three upwards to help them deal with bullying.
Its part of a new strategy to deal with the problem, though many are wondering how effective such a campaign will be.
From next term, the Education Review Office (ERO) will ask schools specific questions about bullying, as part of their three yearly reviews.
It will ask whether a school has specific programmes in place to combat sexual harassment, racist, or homophobic bullying or attacks on those with special needs.
Education Minister Chris Carter says bullying can occur at any school and he wants parents to feel that their children are safe.
"By going through that checklist, schools will start to think more carefully ... and make sure that they have programmes, should any of these things occur, in their schools," he says.
"ERO's involvement in this process is critical because it ensures that every school is thinking about the issue and has programmes in place to deal with it."
Two schools in the Wellington region have also developed anti-bullying pamphlets to be distributed nationwide.
Four hundred and seventy thousand of the pamphlets will be given to every pupil, aged seven or older from next month.
They cost $87,000 to produce.
But using ERO to check on schools is being called an insult by a Northland principal.
Tai Tokerau Principals' Association President Pat Newman says ERO shouldn't be checking up on schools.
He says it is an insult to him and every other principal doing their best to stop bullying in schools and who've been screaming out for resources for years.
And the mother of a victim says bullies will just not care.
Her daughter was attacked on school grounds by other students - her injuries so severe she was hospitalised.
"I feel the school handled it badly, not enough information was given to me as a parent," says "Amanda."
"You can campaign and put booklets out as much as you want but it needs to be dealt with in person with the bullies and harder consequences need to come in place."
But Carter says that is the objective.
"We'll be putting in place a structure that'll make schools safer."
The Children's Commissioner is also conducting her own inquiry into bullying.
"Given the research that shows that New Zealand has high levels of both physical and emotional bullying we've got to go for it," says Cindy Kiro.
The Commissioner's report is expected to be completed by February.
