The board of Whangārei Boys’ High School in Northland has admitted guilt to two charges of exposing individuals to risk of serious injury or death after a caving trip ended tragically last year.
Fifteen-year-old Karnin Petera drowned in floodwaters during a school trip to Abbey Caves on 9 May 2023. In a brief hearing at the Whangārei District Court, the school’s lawyer, Marie Wisker, entered guilty pleas to charges laid by WorkSafe.
Sentencing is scheduled for 27 September, with a full day allocated for the proceedings.
The judge also ordered restorative justice for all victims, including the 14 students and two workers involved, who were granted interim name suppression.
During the court session, attended by Karnin’s family, Judge Tomlinson held a minute’s silence to honor Karnin.
The incident has led to intense examination, with WorkSafe’s charges filed against the school’s legal entity, not individual board members.
Following the tragedy, the caves remain closed to the public, and the school has since revised its outdoor education policies.
Always been itchy about these school outdoor events, especially something like his….always in two minds about letting ours attend….in any case, very sad…..