"Since July this year, the minister has repeatedly and publicly cited falling enrolments, health and safety of hostel operations, and the proprietor's financial viability as reasons for closure.
"The school community responded swiftly with a suite of viable solutions to rectify the concerns, but we have been denied the opportunity to preserve Turakina's 110-year legacy of educating young Maori women and fostering mana wahine."
Ms Parata said yesterday she was "saddened about having to make the decision" but believed the school's falling roll and financial problems could not be corrected.
"While I know that my decision will not be what many in the wider school community would have wanted to hear, it should not come as a surprise.
"The struggles have been ongoing for some time. This announcement will give whanau certainty to plan for next year," she said.
The ministry will appoint a change manager and a residual agent to support the proprietor and the board of trustees through the closure process.
Yesterday the school was hosting Marton Junction School for a day of fun and games and deputy principal Kerehoma Mihaere said they would also attend the Marton fair and other local activities.
"We will carry on with the usual activities at this time of year - there is no reason to cancel them because of the announcement," he said.
Mr Mihaere has provided leadership since principal Terehia Channings took extended leave in July and he said the focus has been on getting students through their exams and supporting their learning.
Rangitikei mayor Andy Watson joined the school board of trustees this year and was with staff when the closure was announced.
"My heart goes out to them," he said. "A huge number were in tears."
A lot of effort had gone into saving what was a significant organisation in the district, he said.
"They're a school that have turned up to everything without charge - they are very much a cultural identity in our district.
"I know firsthand the amount of work the board has put in preparing a case."
The trustees have also expressed disappointment that the school's founder, the Presbyterian church, has not come to the aid of the 110-year-old school despite pleas from the board and letters to all the 400 churches throughout New Zealand.
"For over a century our people have responded with loyalty to the Presbyterian faith and produced leadership worthy enough to earn Turakina its reputation as 'the Jewel in the Presbyterian crown'. It is perplexing that the Presbyterian Church has not heeded our call for assistance," they said.
Reverend Wayne Te Kaawa, chairman of the Maori Synod of the Presbyterian Church and the school board of proprietors, said the synod had been alone in supporting the school in recent years.
"The synod has provided enough to see us through until the end of the year but we have not received any support from the wider church."
The students' last day at school is December 3, with closure scheduled for January 28.
