Defiance and sadness at front line of Northland school cuts

By ALAN PERROTT, education reporter

A battered flagpole stands outside Ngaiotonga School as a tribute to the generosity of a local farmer, whose gift of land enabled the school to open in 1940.

Teachers were hoping that some day it would form the centrepiece of the school's centenary celebrations. Now they are considering an early 65th anniversary party instead.

Ngaiotonga School, at the base of the Whangaruru Peninsula, east of Russell, is set to close as part of a process which Education Minister Trevor Mallard has said will slash the cost of maintaining emptying buildings and pass the savings on to larger nearby schools.

But this almost 100 per cent Maori school hasn't given up, and has draped a banner reading "Don't Let This School Close!" outside a roadside classroom.

It took the community 12 years of wrangling to get a school, a feat achieved in 1940 after farmer Walter Martin gave land for road access. Now Ngaiotonga is rallying again.

"This is a very family-oriented area," said Lita Wetere, one of the school's entirely local staff.

"We like to think we help educate our people, who can then go on before returning to do their bit for the community. If that link is broken early in life, the fear is that the cycle may collapse. It also means we may have to leave our land if we want to keep teaching."

The school's roll has reached as high as 92, but a Ministry of Education report says it is now 23. Ms Wetere said two more pupils were due to arrive this week.

Parents are worried that travelling to the nearest school in Punaruku will mean more time for the pupils on the bus, which uses a periodically flooded coastal road.

Mr Mallard has said that the three schools in the region are operating at only 49 per cent of their student capacity collectively and combining them on the Punaruku site will still create a potential roll of only 83.

"Regardless of the economics, this community will suffer a huge blow if we close," said Ms Wetere.

"This is the hub and meeting place of so many different elements here. But whatever happens, we will hold a celebration at the end of the year to acknowledge the support of this school's first pupils while they still live and breathe."