Our Ref: OIA-26-386
26 March 2026
Joe Clarke
[FYI request #33709 email] Dear Joe,
Re: Official Information Act request for information on Westbridge Residential School I refer to your email to the Education Review Office dated 12 February 2026 requesting information set
by ERO to the Westbridge Residential School leadership or the Ministry of Education, since 1 January
2025.
Westbridge Residential School has had significant challenges that ERO has tried to support the school
through. Given the significance of this recommendation, and the importance of ensuring that people
are informed about the reasons for it, we undertook a proactive release of our progress report in the
form of a summary. This approach was taken to protect the privacy of students at the school, where
the very small roll heightened the risk that they could be identified. For this reason, we decided not to
release the full report and instead provided the summary, in line with section 16(1)(e) of the OIA. This
summary also speaks to the concerns noted in the letter to the Secretary for Education.
Regarding communications from ERO to the Ministry and/ or the school leaders at Westbridge, I first
note that a number of emails were exchanged with the school about ERO’s review process and the
gathering of evidence. To ensure transparency and reliability in our review processes, ERO treats all
information obtained during reviews as confidential. Review officers also rely on free and frank
disclosures from a range of sources, including students and staff, to develop a comprehensive
understanding of what is occurring within a school.
Releasing this material would likely inhibit the free and frank exchange of information required for
effective reviews, particularly from students. For these reasons, this information is being withheld
under sections:
• 9(2)(a) – to protect the privacy of natural persons
• 9(2)(ba)(i) – to protect information provided under an obligation of confidence
• 9(2)(g)(i) – to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank
expression of opinions
Regarding the remaining communications, eight are in scope of your request. Our consideration of
these are being finalised and we expect to reply to you as soon as practicable. I can advise that some
content will be withheld under sections 9(2)(g)(i) of the OIA, to protect the effective conduct of public
Ko te Tamaiti te Pūtake o te Kaupapa
The Child – the Heart of the Matter
affairs through the free and frank exchange opinion and section 9(2)(a) of the OIA, to protect the
privacy of individuals.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at
http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi,
Kaden Wilson
Chief of Staff
Ko te Tamaiti te Pūtake o te Kaupapa
The Child – the Heart of the Matter
