January 27, 2017
School reopens despite church opposition
The principal of Hato Petera says the Auckland Catholic diocese has gone out of its way to undermine the Maori boarding school.
The school will reopen next week with just 25 confirmed pupils, as the school’s hostels have been closed.
John Matthews says more out of town pupils are waiting to hear if billets are available.
He says the diocese used concerns about governance and the state of the hostels in a otherwise favourable 2014 Education Review Office report to attack the school, with Bishop Patrick Dunn’s appointees on the boards marginalising the school whanau and community.
"The bishop has been listening to wrong advice and people who are more concerned with dollars rather than investment in people’s futures," Mr Matthews says.
He says the wider Maori community wants the school to stay open.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH JOHN MATTHEWS
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com