The man charged with causing last year's Ruatoki school-bus crash has appeared in Whakatane District Court.

Joe Nika Morehu has been bailed to an address in Ruatoki following today's court session.

He's charged with dangerous driving causing injury to children aboard the school bus he crashed into in September.

Police allege there is no evidence to show he steered away or braked heavily to avoid the collision.

The Autahi Transport driver crashed his logging truck into the back of the stationary school bus, injuring 35 of the 47 children on board.

Police allege traces of tetrahyrdocannabinol, main ingredient of cannabis, was found in Morehu's blood.

The logging truck driver is also charged with working more than the five and a half hours allowed under transport regulations.

The defendant had been on the road since four am, with his log-book showing a rest was only taken during a break down between 730 and nine.

This could result in a two thousand dollar fine - with the first charge bringing with it a maximum of five years behind bars and a 20 thousand dollar fine.

Morehu's to appear back in court March 22.