Opposition is mounting over plans to merge three Otara schools on to one campus.
Otara mother Pele Puletahu has collected more than 600 signatures from people opposed to the North Otara Education Pathway, which would see about 900 Clydemore Primary, Bairds Intermediate and Hillary College students studyingon a revamped college site.
Mrs Puletahu, who has children at Clydemore Primary and Hillary College, said parents were worried that younger students would be bullied and exposed to problems among older students.
"They need to look into this thing properly instead of just shoving all of the students down to Hillary College. Our community here wants the little ones separate from the big ones."
Last month, parents with children at the schools voted in favour of combining the three boards of trustees and moving the schools to Hillary College. More than two-thirds of the 1300 voters supported the plans.
But Mrs Puletahu said the petition included signatures from other members of the community.
She had sent copies to Education Minister Trevor Mallard and Prime Minister Helen Clark.
Terry Bates, project manager for the Ministry of Education, said under law only people with students at the schools could have a say.
Mr Bates said bullying of younger students had not been an issue at the nearby Southern Cross Campus.
He disputed Mrs Puletahu's claim that the ministry had already made up its mind about the merger before consulting parents.
The schools hoped to hear from Mr Mallard by the end of the year on their submission for a combined board.
All Access. All in one subscription.From $2 per week
