Te Ao Māori

NZ First concern over Auckland school

06:59 am on 10 March 2015

New Zealand First says it has grave concerns over the future of Hato Petera College in Auckland.

The Catholic Diocese of Auckland owns the land the boarding school's hostel buildings are on and has only given the school a short-term lease extension.

New Zealand First's Education Spokesperson Tracey Martin said the short-term lease did not provide the certainty the college needed for the future.

She said it looked like the diocese did not have a long-term commitment to the school.

Ms Martin said the government needed to step in because it was an iconic school providing valuable education for Maori, with a plan in place for its future.

She said the fact the land was prime real estate on the North Shore had her very worried for the school's survival.

Te Manu Korihi has approached the Catholic Diocese for comment.