The Board of the Hato Petera Whānau Trust is looking to heal its relationship with the Catholic Church and has put Northland GP Dr Lance O'Sullivan at its helm.
Dr O'Sullivan is a respected health practioner in the Far North and was last year named New Zealander of the Year. He currently has children attending the school and as a trust board member, was elected to the chair last week.
The school has been at the centre of controversy after reports in the media earlier this year detailing allegations of bullying, a falling roll, school buildings being left to rot, infighting amongst board members and call for a review by governance partner, the Catholic Church.
Speaking from his home in Kaitaia today Dr O'Sullivan told Te Kāea, the board wanted to re-establish a strong relationship with the church and reinvent its image with old boys and the school community, "The school has made a contribution to Maoridom and we need to figure out how to progress in a positive way."