The principal of Christchurch Māori immersion school Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waitaha, Melissa Waitoa-Paki, has resigned following allegations she failed to safeguard students and properly manage conflicts of interest.
Her departure comes after she voluntarily agreed not to teach and amid scrutiny from the Teaching Council and Ministry of Education.
According to state-funded media, an earlier Education Review Office report identified serious shortcomings in the school’s employment practices, including failures to complete mandatory police vetting and safety checks for all staff before hiring.
While authorities have not publicly detailed any ongoing processes, they confirmed concerns had been raised and steps taken to protect student welfare. The school board, Ministry of Education and Teaching Council have all declined to comment further, citing employment and regulatory processes.
Image credit: Tuyen Vo
