16/07/2024
M.R.M
[FYI request #27193 email]
Tēnā koe M.R.M
OIA: 1330400 – Mangakōtukutuku College
Thank you for your email of 9 June 2024 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) requesting the
following information:
Please supply me with the following information under the Official Information Act. I
specifically request that your response is delivered to me through the FYI.org.nz website:
1. A copy of the Education and Training Act S180 ("Limited Statutory Manager") Gazette
notice issued by the Minister of Education, and which directed the Secretary (meaning the
Chief Executive of the Ministry) to appoint a Limited Statutory Manager for the
Mangakōtukutuku College, Hamilton, Board of Trustees.
2. A copy of the Limited Statutory Manager's appointment letter with copies of all attachments
/ addendums / annexures thereto.
3. A copy of the contract / agreement appointing a security company to provide security guard
services at Mangakōtukutuku College, Hamilton, with copies of all attachments /
addendums / annexures thereto.
4. The apparent Principal of Mangakōtukutuku College, Hamilton, is Dr Govender. She has
not been at work for a number of weeks. You already know, and hold, all of the information
regarding the circumstances relevant to her absence. I am requesting that, in particular,
you answer the following questions about this situation:
a) Is Dr Govender currently stil holding the position of Principal? If not when did her
tenure end and was she dismissed or did she resign?
b) Is Dr Govender officially on leave, and if so is she on annual, sick, family or other
special leave?
c) Further to sub-clause b), is Dr Govender required or planning to return to her job and
position, and, if so on what date wil this happen?
5. How many Mangakōtukutuku College, Hamilton, junior students, and how many
Mangakōtukutuku College, Hamilton, senior students, have been:
a) Stood down
b) Suspended
Wellington National Office, 1 The Terrace, Levels 5 to 14, Wellington 6011
PO Box 1666, Wel ington 6140, DX SR51201 Phone: +64 4 463 8000
c) Excluded
d) Expelled since the start of Term 1 until the date of your response.
6. Further to clause 5., what were the respective reasons for the disciplinary action taken
against each of the junior students and senior students (e.g. vaping)?
Your request has been considered under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the Act).
As advised on 8 July 2024, the Ministry transferred parts three to six of your request to
Mangakōtukutuku College for a response. Part one was also refused under section 18(d) of the
Act, as the information is publicly available.
In response to
part two of your request, please find attached as
Appendix A, a copy of the
following documents:
1. Letter of Appointment – Limited Statutory Manager Mangakōtukutuku College
2. Terms of Appointment – Limited Statutory Manager Mangakōtukutuku College
Please note, some information has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the
privacy of natural persons.
As required under section 9(1) of the Act, I have considered the public interest in releasing the
information withheld. I do not consider the public interest considerations favouring the release of
this information are sufficient to outweigh the need to withhold it at this time.
Please note, we may publish this response on our website after five working days. Your name and
contact details wil be removed.
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review my decision
on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do this by writing to
[email address] or to Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā
Marcus Freke
Director of Education Waikato
Te Mahau | Te Tai Whenua (Central)
OIA: 1330400
