Te Paati Māori support the committee's view on punishment for absenteeism. We would actually remove the ability for schools to expel students who are below the school leaving age of 16 altogether. We know Māori students make up 50 percent of the students who are excluded from school and the irreparable harm this causes. If you need evidence, just look at the fact that 55 percent of prisoners have been kicked out of school. 