08/07/2024
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
c) Excluded
d) Expelled
8 Gilmer Terrace, Levels Ground floor, 1, 2, and 6-14, Wellington
PO Box 1666, Wel ington 6140 Phone: +64 4 463 8000
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)?
I am refusing
part one of your request under section 18(d) of the Act, as the information is publicly
available at the following link:
https:/ gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2024-go1576
The Ministry does not hold a copy of any contract or agreement regarding Mangakōtukutuku
College appointing a security company. I am therefore transferring
part three of your request to
the Mangakōtukutuku Col ege Board under section 14(b)(i) of the Act, as the information is not held
by the Ministry but is believed to be held by the school.
Employment matters relating to the principal and staff appointments at Mangakōtukutuku College
are the domain of the school Board. The Ministry has therefore transferred
part four of your
request to Mangakōtukutuku College Board to respond to, in accordance with section 14(b)(i ) of
the Act, as the information is more closely connected to the functions of the school.
The Ministry routinely publishes standdown, suspension, exclusion and expulsion (SSEE) data on
the Education Counts website. However, data for 2024 is not currently held by the Ministry. I am
therefore also transferring
parts five and six of your request to the Mangakōtukutuku College
Board under section 14(b)(i) of the Act, as the information is not held by the Ministry but is believed
to be held by the school.
I apologise for the delay in transferring these parts of your request.
The Ministry needs to extend the timeframe for responding to
part two of your request, pursuant to
section 15A(1)(b) of the Act, as consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are
such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit. You can now
expect to receive a response to the remainder of your request on or before Monday 29 July, which
is an extension of 15 working days.
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
Jon Little
Manager Official and Parliamentary Information
Te Pou Rangatōpū | Corporate
OIA:1330400
