A Kaitaia school bus driver has resigned after eight years behind the wheel over his frustration at the behaviour of children he carries, with the final straw an alleged assault by a teenager.
The man, in his late 60s, whom the Northern Advocate has agreed not to name, said getting walloped across the head last month was the limit after enduring verbal abuse, foul language and disgusting behaviour from a small minority of young bus users.
He said it was a disappointing way to finish but he saw no other option after he was allegedly assaulted by a teenage passenger last month.
The man said there had been some nice times over the past eight years but at other times he had hated the job.
He had not been injured but the company that employed him had reached the conclusion there was nothing it could do, he said. A lawyer had given him similar advice. The company the man worked for declined to comment.