Full Breakdown
Relief Teacher Ankui Gui Stripped of Registration After Tribunal Finds Pattern of Inappropriate Physical Contact
5/7/2026, 5:15:47 AM
Tribunal Findings on Inappropriate Physical Contact
The Teacher Disciplinary Tribunal concluded Ankui Gui engaged in a pattern of inappropriate physical contact with multiple children across two early-childhood centres, leading to cancellation of his registration and a censure for serious misconduct.
Background and Prior Warnings
Gui worked as a relief teacher at New Shoots Hobsonville in 2021. Colleagues reported two kisses on a 3-year-old boy’s lips and similar conduct at Pascals, prompting an interim name-suppression order in early 2024.
Timeline of Key Events
2021 – Gui employed at New Shoots Hobsonville. Early 2024 – Interim name-suppression hearing. Mid-2024 – Tribunal hearing and registration cancellation. Mid-2024 – Jitbug internal review and stand-down. 2024 onward – 18-month public register annotation.
Data and Statistics
The tribunal identified two kisses on a 3-year-old boy’s lips, one kiss on a 4-year-old girl’s hand, and one instance of nuzzling a 3-year-old girl’s chest. Jitbug’s safety screening uses a seven-step process, and the registration annotation will remain for 18 months.
Official Statements & Responses
Tribunal chair Jamie O’Sullivan said repeated warnings failed to stop Gui’s conduct, describing it as serious misconduct. Jitbug operations manager Shefali Patel reported an immediate internal review, standing Gui down while confirming all pre-engagement safety checks were completed. Gui acknowledged cultural differences and language barriers, expressing regret for not appreciating New Zealand professional boundaries sooner.
Criticism & Opposition
Although the tribunal found the conduct non-sexual, it emphasized that cultural explanations do not excuse breaches of child-safety standards. Child-advocacy groups have called for clearer guidance on appropriate physical interaction and stronger cultural-competence training for educators.
On-the-Ground Reports
A father testified his daughter disclosed the incident, prompting him to raise concerns with the centre. A former colleague recounted seeing Gui kiss a 3-year-old boy twice, and another teacher observed him nuzzling a 3-year-old girl’s chest while she stood on a playground box.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Gui asserted his actions reflected non-harmful cultural affection, while the tribunal determined he failed to understand why the behaviour was inappropriate. The sources do not provide exact dates for each incident, leaving a chronological gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He trained in New Zealand and he was spoken to repeatedly during the time period of the charged conduct and yet his inappropriate conduct continued, including against a young child who was not even a learner at the second centre,” — Jamie O’Sullivan, Teacher Disciplinary Tribunal Chair
- “This marks the tribunal’s disapproval and serves as a warning to others in the profession,” — Jamie O’Sullivan, Teacher Disciplinary Tribunal Chair
- “At Jitbug, the safety and wellbeing of children is of the utmost importance. We take matters of this nature very seriously and maintain comprehensive safety screening procedures for all relief staff,” — Shefali Patel, Operations Manager, Jitbug
- “This includes a seven-step safety checking process incorporating identity verification, reference checks, and police vetting, all of which were satisfactorily completed prior to engagement.” — Shefali Patel, Operations Manager, Jitbug
What’s Next
Gui may apply to resume teaching if he satisfies the tribunal’s conditions, including compliance with the 18-month registration annotation. Jitbug has pledged to review its screening protocols and reinforce staff training on professional boundaries.
