Hato Petera expresses optimism about future

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

Troubled Auckland Maori school Hato Petera has released an upbeat statement about its future, announcing its boarding facilities will be open for the start of the school year next year.

The statement said Murray Painting was the newly elected chairman of the board of trustees and expressed optimism about the Northcote school's future.

"The trust wishes to advise the parents, students and staff that the boarding facilities will be open and we look forward to welcoming them at the commencement of the school year in 2016," Mr Painting's statement said.

That follows a decision 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.

"[The] priority is for the hostel accommodation to provide an environment that ensures the safety and wellbeing of the students and enables good educational outcomes. After a continuing and comprehensive review of the current situation, the board have decided that it is untenable for the trust to continue to provide the supportive environment that is required. Some of the buildings are cold and draughty and the plumbing is inadequate. Higher levels of specialised staffing are required to ensure the needs of students are adequately met," said the statement reported in the Herald on October 13.

But today's statement was far more positive.

"Te Whanau o Hato Petera Trust has a new lease of life," it said, and referred to refreshing the governance team of the trust.

"We look forward to opening in 2016 with a student body that will benefit from the renewed energy and determination that the trust has to create a centre of pastoral care second to none with access to a centre for educational excellence," today's statement said.

"The college has always had a reputation for providing quality education since it commenced as a secondary school for Maori boys, 87 years ago."