Concern over Hato Petera 'misinformation'

Hato Petera College in Northcote, Auckland announced its boarding facilities will be open in 2016. Photo / Nick Reed

The local Catholic hierarchy says it's "most concerned" after misinformation was spread in discussions about a troubled Auckland Maori school.

Yesterday, Northcote school Hato Petera released an upbeat statement about its future, announcing boarding facilities would be open next year.

The statement said boarding facilities would be open and ready when the new school year started.

But today the Catholic Diocese of Auckland said it was "surprised and most concerned" about the statement, and said the new group of trustees was not legally constituted.

The diocese said it could not recognise this group as school trustees.

"The diocese is deeply concerned about the misinformation that has been given to students and their whanau, as boarding facilities will not be available."

The diocese said work had already been done with the Ministry of Education to find alternative educational facilities for students who are unable to attend Hato Petera College as day students next year.

"Work is currently being undertaken to dissolve the Te Whanau of Hato Petera Trust for reasons of insolvency," the diocese added today.

A decision was made in October to close the school's junior boarding facility.

Whanau Trust Board chairman Lance O'Sullivan said then that closure was temporary and a comprehensive review of the boarding facility was ongoing.