Gloriavale school board challenges ministry's closure order as unlawful overreach

Secretary for Education Ellen Macgregor-Reid announced the cancellation of Gloriavale Christian School’s registration following a special Education Review Office review that found the school failed to meet safety criteria. The board responded with a legal challenge, asserting that the ministry’s action is legally flawed, procedurally unfair, and represents an overreach against a religious and cultural minority. They highlighted recent improvements, the school’s commitment to meet standards, and the lack of evidence that state schools would be safer for the children.

The board also warned that closing the school would compel students to travel up to an hour each way to the nearest public schools, disrupting family and community life. They criticized the ministry for not considering these practical impacts and for using evidence that does not distinguish the school from the broader Gloriavale community. The High Court is set to hear the case, while the school remains open pending the judicial review.