Ben NettletonWaitaki Girls’ High School’s hostel could close at the end of the year, the school’s board has announced. A five-year period of ‘‘sustained downturn’’ was behind the provisional decision to close the hostel, according to school authorities. About 22 boarders were required to ‘‘break even’’, the school’s limited statutory manager, Ben Nettleton, said. A strategic workshop was held to consider sustainability, financial viability, future capital requirements and health and safety obligations at the hostel, leading to the provisional decision to close it. ‘‘Hostel numbers have steadily declined over a period of more than five years and have not returned to levels that support long-term financial sustainability,’’ Mr Nettleton said.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 06, 2026 17:34 UTC