School principal said they are now reviewing the charges
The Board of Trustees at Whangārei Boys High School are facing charges for health and safety failures related to the death of Karnin Petera in May 2023.
Petera died last year after he was swept away in floodwaters during an outdoor education activity to Abbey Caves, with WorkSafe saying their "extensive" investigation has pieced together the circumstances of the tragedy.
It filed the charges in the Whangārei District Court, alleging that the board breached the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 after its outdoor education caving activity put at risk the safety of other people, resulting to the death of the 15-year-old student.
Karen Smith, principal of the Whangārei Boys' High School, said they are reviewing the charges and are taking the findings very seriously.
"The Board of Trustees will continue to work with WorkSafe as we move through the next stage of the process," Smith said in a statement quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
The school marked last month the anniversary of the student's death, which sparked discussions over how schools are approaching outdoor education.
Smith said the school is already implementing a new policy, including new safety management plans, to protect students while learning outdoors.
Rob Pope, WorkSafe's Head of Inspectorate, said school boards of trustees across the country should reflect on their own systems and processes to ensure they are meeting legal requirements outside the classroom.
"Students should be able to participate safely, and parents must have confidence their rangatahi will be kept safe," Pope said in a statement.
