A glowing ERO report is proof that Bay of Islands College has overcome past divisions and is on the right track, principal John Paitai says.
The report, released on June 30, praised the Kawakawa school's sound governance, strong leadership and the value it placed on students' Maori identity, but especially its efforts to rebuild relationships with the community.
Under previous principal Elgin Edwards, who departed in 2013, those relationships had become toxic, hitting bottom when Mr Edwards trespassed one of the Mid North's most respected kaumatua from the school grounds.
Mr Paitai said the report's findings were heartening.
"It's a total affirmation that we're going in the right direction, that we have a really good school here. The board and the staff have been working hard to dispel some of the negative myths in the community about the college, and we're still fighting a perception from some people that it's not a place to send your children."