Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell says he has found an effective way to help eradicate cyber bullying among his students.
The school asks all students and their parents to sign an agreement that outlines that hacking other students' online accounts, or using electronic equipment to bully others, is unacceptable.
By signing the form, students also agree to report any cyberbullying to staff.
Mr Randell said the confiscation of a smartphone, or being banned from using school computers for a week - or the remainder of the term - was a strong deterrent for students considering bullying. The forms were kept on file and renewed each year.
The strength of the approach is that it involves parents.
By signing the agreement, pupils know that breaching the rules will more than likely get a stern word at home.
The most determined bully may not care how their school views their behaviour but there is a fair chance he or she will be concerned about their parents' reaction.