Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The results of an audit on 2021 school accounts show nearly 500 schools did not prepare proper budgets, the Auditor-General John Ryan says.
Ryan has warned many schools are not budgeting properly.
The summary report from the audits shows more schools recorded deficits, but other financial indicators such as cash in the bank improved.
It said 19 schools were in financial difficulty in 2021 and auditors were worried about 40 others.
Some school were found to have spent too much on gifts for departing staff and others did not properly monitor spending by the principal or other staff.
The report was several months late due to Covid-19-related delays last year.