Kelston Boys' High School facing an unsupported takeover by Bangerz Education and Wellbeing Trust. Photo: SUPPLIED/GOOGLE MAPS
An Auckland public school says it's at the centre of an unsupported take-over by a group wanting to turn it into a charter school.
Kelston Boys' High School has written to parents saying the bid, from Bangerz Education and Wellbeing Trust (BEWT), is not endorsed by it.
"Our senior leaders and staff do NOT believe that becoming a charter school is in the best interests of our students or community, especially when it would involve so much change with a different staff, management and Board, along with a different philosophy and curriculum," the school said in a letter posted to social media.
Acting Principal Daniel Samuela said in the letter the bid was an unnecessary distraction.
On its website, Bangerz Education and Wellbeing Trust said it is part of a joint application by Siaosi Gavet, a former presiding member of the school's board.
It said it wants to convert the school to a charter school on 1 January 2026.
In its application, the trust said a change to a charter school would solve a continuing fall in education attainment and Ministry of Education intervention "has been ineffective".
"Siaosi brings a wealth of high-level management and executive oversight and governance experience from various roles," the application said.
It also claimed it had been told a number of teachers support the bid but "it is not possible to voice their support as these is [sic] seen against the retiring principal".
"We acknowledge that the teaching staff of the school are opposed to conversion, and we have been told (although this may not be true) that a number are seeking positions at other schools. We will not try and persuade those staff to stay," it also said.
The trust also said the school's PPTA is opposed to charter schools, but it believed its application "deals with the objections".
In its letter to parents and caregivers, the school said it was well placed to provide a quality education.
Labour MP for Kelston Carmel Sepuloni said she was aware of the situation.
"This a concerning issue that has been raised with me as local MP by the school. I've since spoken with the Minister of Education, who has assured me she'd look into this."
She said Labour remained opposed to charter schools in general.
"We want to see investment focused into our state schools.
"We want to make sure all students, no matter where they go to school, get a world-class education, provided by the state in our public schools."
On its website, BEWT states it is a by-youth-for-youth charity based in New Lynn and that its board is made up of Pasifika and Māori youth who are under 25.
"We provide after-hours tutoring, strength and conditioning, and chill space at our Hub to students enrolled at mainstream schools. In 2025 many of these students are in Years 11 and 12 from Kelston Boys' High School."
What the rules say
Charter schools were operated by a sponsor, which in this case would be the Bangerz Education and Wellbeing Trust.
Sponsors in turn are approved by the Charter School Authorisation Board.
Applications can be started by a school, or by members of the school's community together with the prospective sponsor.
A school board ceases to exist after a conversion to a charter school.
The Authorisation Board must consider the level of support in the community, and it must consult with the community to gauge this support.
The office for Associate Education Minister and charter schools supporter, David Seymour said it would not comment because politicians were not involved in decision making.
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