Axe falls on girls' school

Photo/File

Turakina Maori Girls' College is to close, having failed in its brave fight to continue its proud 110-year history.

The school has been battling to stave off closure since August, when Education Minister Hekia Parata announced that, due to a falling roll and financial difficulties, its future was in doubt.

Board of trustees member PiriHira Tukapua contacted the Chronicle late yesterday to say the minister had made a decision to close the school after considering the board's second submission, received in early November.

The Turakina trustees and the college board of proprietors had asked Ms Parata to give the school another year to rectify problems - but that request has been denied.

They wanted a year's grace to implement strategies to make Turakina a viable organisation providing quality education for girls.

Ms Tukapua said it had been hard to remedy the problems by increasing enrolments and encouraging investors, because people believed the school would close.

Many had been unwilling to commit themselves due to the uncertainty.

The school has had support from the Rangitikei mayor, Andy Watson, and a number of MPs.

These included Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox - as well as the Turakina alumni organisation, Nga Wahine o Turakina Nga Hara.

Ms Tukapua said the trustees were yet to meet, because the decision had just been announced, and no date had been set for the closure.