December 21, 2016
No glory in Rangiawhia closure
Northland MP Winston Peters is unhappy at the explanation given for the closure of a far north Maori immersion school.
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Rangiawhia in Whatuwhiwhi shuts its doors this week.
Education Minister Hekia Parata says the commissioner she appointed in July after sacking the newly-elected board has been unable to recruit a new principal or registered teachers.
But the sacked trustees have said they were addressing longstanding problems with the school, and there were suitable teachers willing to step in.
Mr Peters says there seems to be a huge difference between what the people the far north say and what the bureaucrats in Wellington are telling their minister.
"These things should have been sorted so there is an agreed set of terms and reference and facts that would support any decision, but you have a major row going on there. The question is, who is telling the truth? The ministry hasn't covered itself in glory on this matter," he says.
Mr Peters says an independent adviser should have been appointed to get to the bottom of what ailed the kura.
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