The Post Primary Teachers' Association is recruiting someone to create guidelines for teachers responding to students who express extremist views in class.
The union has received growing reports of far-right extremism in schools, with students voicing homophobia, anti-Semitism, racism, trad wife ideology and misogyny. The union says these ideologies harm respectful relationships and student development.
"PPTA members believe that teachers and schools should not be left to face these challenges alone," the union said. "The education sector needs tools, training and resources necessary to equip both educators and students to navigate digital culture as safely and as critically as possible."
PPTA president Chris Abercrombie, who teaches history and social studies, told Checkpoint teachers are encountering neo-Nazi symbols and language, Holocaust denial, anti-Semitism and misogyny more frequently.
"I've had students ... deny the Holocaust in class when we're talking about it," Abercrombie said. "I've had students write essays about that kind of stuff, talk about not everyone deserves human rights, those kind of things there, and it's increasingly becoming more and more common."
The union has also raised concerns about misogynistic behaviour, with the PPTA women's committee submitting evidence to Parliament about young boys photographing students and teachers without consent.
Abercrombie attributed much of the problem to online content and algorithms that direct young people toward extreme material. He said the issue requires immediate support for educators.
The problem extends beyond New Zealand. A recent survey found half of German teachers had witnessed students performing neo-Nazi symbols in class, while 9% reported being physically assaulted by students holding far-right views. Across Europe, 14% of teachers avoid discussing democracy due to resistance from far-right students and parents.
The Ministry of Education acknowledged the union's concerns and said it is reviewing the report. The ministry said the updated curriculum contains resources to help students identify misinformation and extremist material, and it works with Netsafe, Network for Learning and Bullying-Free NZ to support schools.