Māngere College intervention: Statutory manager appointed over poor attendance, NCEA results

A month later, the Ministry of Education appointed a limited statutory manager (LSM) to oversee the school’s board.

“The LSM will support the … board’s focus on student learning, wellbeing, achievement and progress,” ministry leader Isabel Evans said.

Māngere College and its board were approached for comment but did not respond.

Māngere College class attendance, pass rates and maths and literacy levels are below par, according to an October report. Photo / Google

The board remains in place under the intervention, but will now be joined by the statutory manager taking on specific governance powers.

Under most interventions, day-to-day operations typically remain with the principal, the ministry’s website says.

The ERO report said curriculum planning was only “beginning” at the school, while the use of achievement data to guide improvement was “limited”.

“Teachers are beginning to use some evidence-based and teaching strategies adapted to learner needs,” it said.

Adding to the challenges was a recent leadership turnover.

Three senior leaders were appointed in 12 months, the report said.

That included a new principal arriving in Term 2 of 2024, followed by a new deputy principal in Term 4, and another new deputy at the start of 2025.

The October ERO report gave the school a three-month deadline to show progress on teaching quality and a six-month deadline for other improvements, warning that failure to meet these could result in further intervention.

The ministry said interventions were reviewed at least annually and remained in place until recommendations and objectives were met.

Despite its academic struggles, the school had strong cultural programmes, the report found.

Students’ cultural background was “valued and celebrated”, and there was a “strong focus” on home languages, including te reo Māori.

The statutory manager appointment is one of nine intervention types under the Education and Training Act 2020, ranging from information requests to replacing a board with a commissioner.

Schools usually paid for interventions, according to ministry policy.

Māngere College is a co-educational state secondary school serving 732 students from Years 9 to 13.

According to the Herald’s latest report of NCEA results for all schools across the country, Māngere College students achieved a 48% NCEA level 3 pass rate and 7% entry into university.

MĀNGERE COLLEGE INTERVENTION

ACTIONS TAKEN

The ministry appointed Rosie Solomon as a limited statutory manager on November 11, 2025LSMs typically oversee the board on policies, curriculum, student learning and wellbeingThe board typically stays in place, and the principal keeps day-to-day control

THE NUMBERS

Fewer than 33% passed NCEA level 1 (2024)Fewer than 33% gained University Entrance (2024)Fewer than 50% were attending regularly (the Government sets an 80% target)A majority of Year 9/10 students were below curriculum expectations in literacy/mathsThree senior leaders were appointed in 12 months

ERO DEADLINES

Three months: identify barriers to teaching quality, develop an attendance planSix months: finalise cohesive plan to improve teachingAnnual review of intervention

THE POSITIVES

The college’s cultural background is “valued and celebrated”“Strong focus” on home languages, including te reo Māori