Christchurch School Faces Health Risks Amid Ongoing Facility Issues

Te Pā o Rākaihautū, a unique Māori-medium school in Christchurch, is grappling with significant health and safety concerns stemming from its aging facilities. Established in 2015 as the South Island’s first kura-ā-iwi, the school has faced ongoing challenges related to inadequate infrastructure, which have now come to a head.

Students are welcomed each day with a warm greeting and the sounds of laughter and music, but the atmosphere inside the school’s repurposed buildings contrasts sharply with the manaakitanga the community embodies. Principal Terina Tahau describes how students’ breaths are visible in the chilly classrooms, a stark reminder of the inadequate heating and poor condition of the facilities.

The Ministry of Education has been aware of these issues, with Tahau and her property manager conducting daily inspections to address leaks, broken pipes, and other problems. Recently, a sewage flood occurred on a Sunday, necessitating urgent cleanup before students returned the following Monday. “We spend many a weekend here because something’s popped up,” Tahau said, underscoring the relentless nature of the school’s maintenance struggles.

Longstanding Challenges and Health Concerns

A report commissioned by the school’s board highlights “critical issues” requiring immediate attention. Conducted by Health and Safety at Work NZ, the findings reveal rotting window frames, ongoing leaks, and visible mould growth, all of which contribute to a deteriorating environment for both staff and students. Increased respiratory issues among students and staff have been noted, with the report stating that the buildings pose significant health and safety risks.

The Education Review Office (ERO) has consistently pointed out the need for a permanent site and new facilities in reports from 2017, 2021, and 2025. The latest report, shared with RNZ, emphasizes that the temporary site compromises the health and safety of students and limits their educational aspirations. “The buildings are well past their use by date and need replacing,” the ERO report stated.

Despite these challenges, Te Pā o Rākaihautū has achieved strong academic results. The latest ERO report indicates that students are performing above national averages in NCEA assessments. The school’s successful kai programme, which provides two full meals daily, has also contributed to its positive outcomes.

A Path Forward: New Site Proposal

In May 2023, a new site was identified near Diamond Harbour, on ancestral land significant to the Ngāi Tahu iwi. The proposed site would allow the school to return to its roots and operate in a dual-site model, combining both the current and new locations. However, the Ministry of Education’s response to the proposal has raised concerns among the school leadership.

While Jerome Sheppard, the Ministry of Education’s chief executive for school property, has acknowledged the school’s challenges, the ministry’s focus appears to be on redeveloping the current site rather than pursuing the new location. Sheppard stated that many schools across New Zealand face similar challenges with ageing infrastructure and that the ministry is committed to ensuring safe facilities for all students.

The school’s chairperson, Rangimarie Parata-Takurua, expressed frustration with the ministry’s approach, describing it as dismissive of the school’s proven success in Māori-medium education. “I’ve yet to be persuaded that it’s something else,” she said, referring to her belief that the ministry’s treatment of the school reflects a deeper bias.

Community members, including parents like Kay-Lee Jones, are also voicing their concerns about equity. Jones highlighted the disparity between the high-quality facilities built for other schools in the area and the ongoing struggles faced by Te Pā o Rākaihautū. “Our kids, they don’t deserve this,” she said, concerned about the impact on her children as they navigate their education in subpar conditions.

The Ministry of Education has allocated $544 million in the Budget 25 for growth, including provisions for Māori Medium Education, but the challenges facing Te Pā o Rākaihautū remain unresolved. As the school awaits further developments regarding its future, the community continues to advocate for safer, more suitable educational environments for their children.