I am making historical records
Ross Stewart made this Official Information request to Ministry of Education
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From: Ross Stewart
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I respectfully request the following information regarding Mt Wellington Residential School (also known as Kohitere or the Special Residential School, Auckland), specifically during the period between 1958 and 1975:
Staff Qualifications and Training:
Records of staff employed during this period, including their roles and any formal qualifications or training in child care, education, or social work.
Any policies or requirements in place at the time regarding staff training or vetting.
Field Officer Reports and Concerns:
Any reports, correspondence, or internal memos from Auckland-based education field officers or District Child Welfare Officers expressing concern or suspicion of improprieties or abuse involving pupils.
Records indicating whether these concerns were investigated, and if so, the outcomes of those investigations.
Use of Isolation or “Time-Out” Rooms:
Documentation or policy guidelines regarding the use of isolation rooms or “time-out” spaces at the school.
Any records of incidents involving pupils being placed in such rooms, including duration and reasons.
Disciplinary Practices:
Any official policies or guidance on physical punishment or disciplinary practices at the school during this time.
Records of complaints, investigations, or disciplinary actions involving staff accused of excessive or inappropriate punishment.
Ross Stewart
From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
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Tēnā koe mō tō īmēra mai ki te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga.
He urupare aunoa tēnei hei whakaatu kua tae mai tō īmēra
ki a mātou. Kaua noa e whakautu i tēnei karere.
Mea ake nei ka urupare tonu atu mātou ki tō īmēra.
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From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora Ross
Thank you for the information request below. The Ministry will consider and respond to your request in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982 the Act).
Under section 15(1) of the Act, we are required to make and inform you of our decision on your request as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case not later than 20 working days after the day on which your request is received. You can therefore expect to receive our decision on your request on or before 17 November 2025. If more than 20 working days are needed due to the potential workload and/or consultations involved in answering your request, we will notify you accordingly.
The Ministry may publicly release on our website the response to your request five days after you have received it. Any personal information will be removed.
In the interim, if you have any questions about your request, please email [email address]
Ngā mihi
Enquiries National Team | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education | TW
education.govt.nz
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai ōna huanga
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- Download a zip file of all correspondence (note: this contains the same information already available above).
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