A bill to improve the pastoral care of students living in halls of residence has flown through its first reading in Parliament, thanks to cross-party support.
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
The Education Pastoral Care Amendment Bill is in response to the death of University of Canterbury student, Mason Pendrous, whose body lay undiscovered at a hostel for weeks.
The bill includes a mandatory code of practice that universities and polytechnics will need to comply with, or otherwise face a penalty of up to $100,000.
The legislation has now been passed on to the Education and Workforce Committee, before it will be rushed through the house in time for the next school year.
Education and Workforce Committee is due to report back to the house on 3 December.