Board quits, historic school stays open

Te Aute College. Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

Fears an historic Hawke's Bay Maori boys' boarding school would not re-open this year have been allayed following the resignation of its board of trustees so a commissioner could be appointed.

Te Aute College's role had dropped to below 100 - half its capacity - threatening the extinction of the indebted school.

In a last ditch attempt to save the school its board of trustees met with the Te Aute Trust Board last night to discuss its resignation, to start a process for the Government appointment of a commissioner.

"The Board of Trustees has written to the ministry indicating that they are resigning their positions from January 25 to make way for the appointment of a commissioner," Ministry of Education group manager of education, curriculum and performance Jeremy Wood said.

"We expect Te Aute College to open for the new school year as normal," he said.

The Anglican Maori boy's school was founded in 1854 in the village of Te Aute, north of Waipawa in central Hawke's Bay.

The school has produced prominent New Zealand figures such as Sir Apirana Ngata, Howard Morrison, Pita Sharples and Sir Maui Pomare, as well as All Blacks George Nepia and Piri Weepu.

Board of Trustees chairman John Tangaere would not comment on the situation.

- NZPA