The grandfather of a boy with mild Asperger syndrome who was the victim of a series of bullying incidents at Tauranga Boys' College says there has been a huge amount of support from around New Zealand.
Last Friday it was revealed the Year 9 student was held down and shot in the leg with a BB gun by bullies who later joked about it on social media.
The boy was also roughed up in the school toilets, "tormented" on the way home and received an emailed death threat.
Police have investigated and two students involved were suspended, but they have since returned to class under "strict behaviour contracts".
The boy's grandfather - whom the Bay of Plenty Times has agreed to call just "John" to protect his grandson - said the public response had made him realise what a significant problem bullying was in New Zealand.
The 77-year-old, who served 18 years in the police, said he has heard from a lot of people across the country who have taken their kids out of school because of bullying - some even moving to other towns because of it.
"A bully is after power and if you move your child from that school ... that is giving power to the bullies. They're dictating what's happening to our children and I don't think that's right."
John's grandson did not go to school last Friday because the family was concerned about the reaction to the articles. He returned to school this week and so far everything seemed all right, John said.
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The grandson did not tell anyone after he was shot in late June and it only came to light in a Facebook post.
John said he believed schools, in general, took bullying seriously enough but there was not enough communication with parents about it.
He said he was not into "school bashing" but was concerned about students in general.
"Not just my grandson, because since I've done this, I've realised what a huge problem it is."
John referred to a recent report which suggested New Zealand students have the second-highest rate of bullying in the OECD, with only Latvia ranked higher.
"If New Zealand schools are saying they're in control of this situation and there isn't a problem, why are we number two in the world for bullying in the schoolyard? It's a sad indictment on New Zealand.
"The reputation of a school should not be based on how many ex All Blacks, how many Olympic medallists we've got at the school; it should be based on how you succeed with 99 per cent of ordinary pupils."
The two boys involved in the bullying incident apologised to the victim in writing and their behaviour was being monitored closely and reported on daily to school management, the Bay of Plenty Times reported last week.
They were withdrawn from class for a period of time in a supervised room and their parents were notified.
The college was not aware of the attack in the toilets, but did investigate the emailed death threat and the recent bullying on the way home.
Meanwhile, John's grandson was given a card which allows him to leave any class he is uncomfortable in at any time, to enable him to access support from Pastoral Care.
His classroom teachers were also made aware of the incident and the need to support him.
