Former pupils of Wesley College have struck out at plans to develop its farmland into intensive housing, but the school says without the development it may not have a future at all.
About 4500 houses are proposed for the school's 277.7 ha dairy farm at Paerata, north of Pukekohe, as part of the Auckland Housing Accord, a joint Government and Auckland Council project announced last month.
Wesley College Trust Board general secretary Chris Johnston said the development could generate hundreds of millions for the integrated Christian secondary school for Maori and Pacific Island students.
However, a group of ex-students says the development will not only erode the school's identity but was initiated without consulting the school community.
Old boy Pete Malcouronne is leading the group of more than 250. His Facebook page, SOS Wesley, has 264 members since it started 10 days ago and is a forum for airing concerns and organising group action.