Minister of Education Hekia Parata has admitted she knew children were being locked in a seclusion room at a Wellington school for two months before it was shut down.

In July, she was told of the complaint by officials. Over the next eight weeks, the room was used 13 times before it was finally shut down in September.

But Parata has previously said she was only informed 12 days ago.

That was clearly wrong - both she and the Ministry knew for two months.

The central question then is why didn't they act to close it down.

When Newshub put the question to her, she said it was unacceptable, and it should have been shut down.

Parata admitted that she and her officials knew about the room for two months - that they had had the powers to close it - and that they should have done it.

But they didn't - and children suffered because of it.

Newshub.