WorkSafe charges Whangārei Boys’ High School over Abbey Caves student death

WorkSafe has charged Whangārei Boys’ High School’s Board of Trustees in relation to the death of a student at Abbey Caves a year ago.

Fifteen-year-old Karnin Petera died on a school trip to the caves on May 9, 2023.

The death rocked the school and the wider Whangārei community.

WorkSafe’s head of inspectorate, Rob Pope, acknowledged the “profound impact of this tragedy” on whānau, friends, and the wider community.

“A year on, our sympathy and thoughts are with all of those who knew and loved Karnin,” Pope said.

An extensive WorkSafe investigation has now pieced together the circumstances of the tragedy, and two charges have been filed in the Whangārei District Court for health and safety failures.

Andre Petera, Alicia Toki with son Jordan and a photo of their beloved Karnin, known as Tino. Photo / Jodi Bryant

The charges are made under the Health and Safety at Work Act and are against the legal entity of the Board of Trustees, not individual members of the board.

“We encourage school boards of trustees across the country to reflect on their own systems and processes to ensure they are meeting legal requirements for education outside the classroom,” Pope said.

“Students should be able to participate safely, and parents must have confidence their rangatahi will be kept safe,” he said.

WorkSafe has no further comment while the case is before the Court.

In a letter to parents on Monday, Whangārei Boys’ High School principal Karen Smith said the school will be reviewing the charges laid by WorkSafe and take the findings very seriously.

The school has already developed and implemented new Education Outside The Classroom and Outdoor Education policies, with the help of Education Outdoors New Zealand, including new safety management plans, Smith said.

Rāhui sign and flowers at the entrance to the Abbey Caves track on May 10 last year. Photo / Michael Cunningham

“The Board of Trustees will continue to work with WorkSafe as we move through the next stage of the process.”

Smith acknowledged all those impacted by the loss of Karnin and reaffirmed counselling and support available, especially in light of his anniversary.

“Our thoughts remain with the whānau of Karnin Petera, his friends, our school whānau, the wider Whangārei community and everyone who has been touched by this tragedy.”

Smith was approached for comment but said she had nothing further to add as the case is now before the Court.

Whangārei Boys’ High School is not the first Northland school to be prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, after Tauraroa Area School was prosecuted for its failings during a “frightening” school trip in 2020.

Two students got caught in a sea cave and nearly drowned during a kayaking trip with Dive! Tutukaka to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve on December 7, 2020.

Tauraroa Area School was ordered to pay the two students an undisclosed sum for emotional reparation, as well as pay half of the prosecution fees, which were around $2500. It also worked with the Ministry of Education and Education Outdoors NZ to ensure it was meeting its health and safety responsibilities.

Dive! Tutukaka entered into a legally-binding safety pledge, known as an enforceable undertaking, including reparations to the two students, training staff, funding and training for the Northland Rescue Helicopter and Coastguard Tūtūkākā, youth water confidence programmes and partnering with Education Outdoors NZ to upskill providers working with schools.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.