There has been a big rise in the number of nifty-fifties and moped scooters being stolen by young thieves in Christchurch.

A Christchurch school headmaster has wiped tears from his eyes and claimed he was the victim of bullying while giving evidence at an Employment Relations Authority hearing.

Two Canterbury high schools were left scrambling to keep their school canteens running after Libelle, the company managing them, went into liquidation.

A Christchurch principal says her school wants to get out of its free lunch programme contract with Compass Group following several weeks of problems and "disappointing" service.