New Zealand / Education

Tears as east Christchurch school closes

17:19 pm on 15 December 2016

About 200 former students and parents have farewelled a long-time east Christchurch high school.

Aranui High School Photo: www.aranui-high.school.nz

Aranui High School, of which the rapper Scribe is an alumnus, will merge with three local primary schools from next year.

The new school - Haeata Community Campus - is part of the Christchurch Education Renewal programme, announced four years ago.

The existing school will be demolished. Tears were shed as photos of ancestors were removed from the whare and returned to their whānau.

Some guests said it was a sad day, while others said the merger would give the school community a fresh start.