Megan Woods
Associate Education (Christchurch) Spokesperson

10 October 2013

School win a victory for wider community

For the second time this year Hekia Parata has been given a court-determined fail grade, this time with a ruling that the closure of Phillipstown School in Christchurch was unlawful, Labour’s Associate Education spokesperson Megan Woods says.

“Our children and our communities deserve, and should expect, more from the Minister of Education.

“The court found that the Ministry's consultation process regarding the merger of Phillipstown and Woolston schools failed to meet the requirements of the Education Act in two respects, hence it acted unlawfully.

“It’s hardly surprising that Ms Parata’s in hot water again; this process was botched from beginning to end.

“Her faux consultation narrative and her inherent inability to listen to the community were always going to end in tears.

“If other schools had had the resources to also take the Minister to court then she may have faced further ignominy.

“Ironically Justice Fogarty’s decision comes in the same week new census data shows population growth in some other areas the Minister also closed schools, again proving how faulty her logic was.

“This isn’t the first time Hekia Parata’s decision-making has been before the courts; a resolution to close Nelson’s Salisbury School was successfully challenged earlier this year. Now she has mucked up again. She is obviously not up to the job.

“I am thrilled for Phillipstown. This is a community that has stood up and told the Minister it was not prepared to take her shoddy treatment. Those involved are an inspiration and deserve our congratulations.”

ENDS

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