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Parents of pupils at a Bay of Plenty primary school say they fear for the safety of their children now Sikh students and their parents are wearing ceremonial daggers at school.
Rebecca Christie was alarmed when she saw two other mothers openly wearing the item - known as a kirpan - in a sash on the outside of their clothing at Tahatai Coast School in Papamoa, near Tauranga.
"There are a lot of people who are shocked that they are even bringing them onto school property ... because they are quite big and very intimidating," she said.
Some students wore a small version on a chain around their neck, while fathers tended to keep theirs covered by clothing, said Ms Christie.
New Zealand's Ministry of Education had no official stance but said schools needed to ensure a safe physical and emotional environment.
Verpal Singh, chair of the Sikh Centre and secretary of the Sikh Council of New Zealand, said the community had nothing to fear from kirpans.
Tahatai Coast School principal Ian Leckie said a delegation of parents had complained about a month ago.
He said he was confident there was no danger to pupils and the school was in consultation to reach a compromise.
What is a kirpan?
Kirpan comes from the words "kirpa" and "aan": kirpa means an act of kindness or a favour and aan means honour, respect, and self-respect.
It is an instrument which adds to self-respect and self-defence.
For Sikhs, kirpan is the symbol of power and freedom of spirit.
All baptised Sikhs should wear a short form of kirpan - about 15cm to 22cm long - on their body.
To call it a dagger or knife is insulting to this article of faith.
