The Ministry of Education and Wesley College have been contacted for further comment.
The school, on Auckland’s southern border, was subjected to heightened scrutiny towards the end of 2025 over its boarding hostels.
Wesley College is on Auckland’s southern border. Photo / File
The Ministry of Education, in November, ordered Wesley – the country’s oldest school – to close its hostels after serious and “harmful” incidents related to student safety.
The ministry also suspended the school’s boarding licence at the time.
Separately, the Herald reported last month that two staff members at Wesley College have been suspended amid concerns Pentecostal-like ceremonies in darkened rooms without parental consent.
A complainant from the school provided images of the “prayer classes” which they said showed staff “laying hands” on students. It’s alleged the young people were encouraged to help rid fellow students of dark forces and taught to “speak in tongues”.
Methodist Church president Te Aroha Rountree told the Herald she was shocked to learn of the exorcism allegations, which she became aware of in November, from the whistleblower.
The Herald revealed earlier this month six other schools in the Auckland region have LSMs assisting their boards to raise standards.
Lane Nichols is Auckland desk editor for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.