Hato Pāora College hostel’s licence to operate suspended

The suspension took effect at 5pm on Friday for the hostel at the college near Feilding. The Education Review Office is responsible for school hostels and confirmed the suspension in a statement.

“The decision to suspend the Hato Pāora College hostel licence is on the basis that it is contrary to the boarders’ interests for the hostel to remain open,” ERO said.

“The decision is based on information obtained through carrying out ERO’s statutory functions in relation to school hostels.”

The ERO statement said that included information obtained during an inspection of the hostel on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

“The statutory functions as director of regulation include helping to ensure the safety of students who board at hostels, including by making decisions on the suspension of hostel licences,” it said of its oversight role.

Lexi Manuel, who has a son at the college, told Radio New Zealand that she was disappointed ERO had suspended the licence. She said principal Kahurangi Falaoa had brought positive change, adding that the new hostels were welcoming, modern and safe.

Once the suspension took effect, the college’s trust board was required to take several immediate steps, including advising the boarders’ parents of the suspension of the hostel’s licence, implementing the hostel’s plan for boarders’ evacuation and care in emergencies, as well as taking all reasonably practicable steps to help the boarders to find alternative accommodation.

A previous ERO report for the hostel in March 2025 found a clear management structure there, and thorough systems and processes in place for its operation.

A refurbished boarding hostel at Hato Pāora College was opened in July this year.

Relevant licensing functions for school hostels were transferred from the Ministry of Education to ERO on September 1, 2026.  

FULL STORY

Hato Pāora College hostel licence to operate suspended by Education Review Office (By Jimmy Ellingham/Radio New Zealand)

Hato Paora College (Education Review Office)

Kapuera Hostel Honours the Legacy of Hato Pāora’s Founders (Tūmanako/Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)

Changes support students living in school hostels (Ministry of Education)