An investigation has been launched into claims staff at Wesley College performed exorcism rituals on students without parental consent.
An investigation is under way into claims “deliverance and exorcism” rituals to rid students of “demonic serpents” were performed by staff at an embattled Auckland school.
Two staff members at Wesley College have been suspended amid concerns the Pentecostal-like ceremonies were carried out in darkened rooms and without parental consent.
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A complainant from the school provided images of the “prayer classes” which they said showed staff “laying hands” on students. It’s alleged the young people were encouraged to help rid fellow students of dark forces and taught to “speak in tongues”.
Methodist Church president Te Aroha Rountree told the Herald she was shocked to learn of the exorcism allegations from the whistleblower in November.
It came just days after the Wesley College Trust Board had been dissolved by the church following the Ministry of Education’s urgent closure of the school’s hostels due to serious student safety concerns.
Rountree said that after meeting with the whistleblower, the church took immediate action to stand down the two staff members while an independent investigation was launched to assess what had occurred.
“Those kinds of practices were denounced in probably most mainline churches years and years ago,” Rountree said.
“We took the complaint seriously. As soon as we received information, we acted ... immediately to remove the people.”
A third staff member was suspended for “claims of negligence”, which were separate to the exorcism allegations.
The investigation is being carried out by health and safety legal expert Bridget Smith, who is due to report back next month. The findings would be shared with the Ministry of Education.
The deliverance and exorcism claims are among a raft of allegations set out in a dossier of material presented to the church late last year, obtained by the Herald. It includes:
Wesley College did not respond directly to the specific allegations outlined above.
The dossier also includes a November 2025 email from the school’s superintending chaplain, Reverend Ali’itasi Aoina-Salesa, voicing concerns about a group of boarders being taken to off-site prayer meetings by two staff members.
She said there were to be no further visits without her being consulted, adding: “We are already under enough fire from the media to have an incident like last Thursday adding further fuel to an already unsettling time.”
She added that “the spiritual welfare and well-being of our students lies with the Methodist Church”.
Aoina-Salesa declined to discuss her concerns this week, telling the Herald staff had been instructed to refer questions to the principal “should anyone contact us”.
“With respect, we’ve been through a lot and so have our students and the staff concerned that have been stood down. The year’s been devastating and I don’t know whether further publications are going to help us heal.”
The whistleblower said they were compelled to raise concerns directly with the church after attempts to have some of them addressed by school leadership for up to two years proved fruitless.
They felt hostel staff had unfairly been made scapegoats over the issues the school faced.
“We’ve done nothing but be honest and we have the evidence.”
In their opinion: “It’s [school] leadership that failed to keep students safe.”
The whistleblower said the prayer classes began in 2024 and had become increasingly “private”. They claimed parents had “no idea” their children had been subjected to fringe religious rituals at the school.
“These kids were entrusted to us by the parents. The majority are Methodist. What was happening was completely against what they’ve been brought up to believe.
“To know things have been done in the dark without consent or knowledge is very dangerous. I would be devastated if I found out what was happening. I would feel betrayed.”
Principal Evans confirmed three staff had been suspended and an independent investigation launched into the allegations.
“The practices have no place and I believe the trust board acted swiftly and fairly so things could be investigated fully. In fairness it is not appropriate to say any more.”
Evans said the dorm closures were well documented.
“We feel we have made huge strides in recent, obviously turbulent years, but it is a timely reset and provides an opportunity to refresh and rethink boarding in a modern context.”
Rountree said the college community was united in its focus on safeguarding and prioritising the academic and emotional well-being of students, whānau and family.
“We acknowledge the impact and harm any spiritual, emotional and physical bullying or abuse has had on our students,” Rountree said.
“There is absolutely no place for this behaviour at Wesley College, and alongside the independent investigation we are continuing to respond by making changes around policy, procedure, governance and oversight.”
The trust board, representing the church, proactively decided to close the hostels in November due to safety concerns, although the ministry urgently brought the closure forward, sparking legal action by the school.
“We welcome any complaints and disclosures hostel students and staff want to make to the Wesley College Trust Board, along with any responses and feedback from the wider community, as we continue to develop and nurture a culture of openness and reconciliation,” Rountree said.
Ministry of Education north leader Isabel Evans said the ministry was aware of the allegations and the nature of the concerns, although she would not say when the ministry was alerted or by whom.
“We continue to support both the trust board and school board as they work through these matters.”
Lane Nichols is Auckland desk editor for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.
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