St Pius X Catholic Primary School in Titahi Bay will close at the end of 2026, following a government decision that has left the community saddened and uncertain about the future of the school’s site.
Parents were informed this week after Education Minister Erica Stanford confirmed the school’s de-integration, effectively ending its operation. Porirua City Councillor-elect Geoff Hayward, who only recently stepped down as Presiding Member of the school’s Board of Trustees, described the announcement as a significant loss for the community.
“For generations, St Pius X has been a cornerstone of Titahi Bay,” Hayward said. “So many families have entrusted their children to this kura, and its legacy will always be interwoven with the story of our community.”
The closure comes amid sweeping national reforms to New Zealand’s education system. The government has introduced a tougher, more prescriptive curriculum, cut back on school board obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, and launched changes to student assessments and teacher training standards. Many educators have described the reforms as rushed and overwhelming, particularly for primary schools.
Schools across the country are adjusting to revised maths and English curriculums, with further changes to other subjects and qualifications scheduled through 2030. While the government claims the reforms aim to “teach the basics brilliantly,” critics argue they are undermining the education system’s foundations.
The Archdiocese of Wellington initiated the closure process earlier this year. While the reasons have not been fully disclosed, declining enrolments and growing financial pressures on small schools are understood to be contributing factors.
Hayward praised the dedication of staff and the loyalty of families throughout the uncertainty. “They all deserve recognition as they move through the next steps,” he said.
One of the biggest concerns now is the future of the school property, which is owned by the Tawa-based Our Lady of Hope Parish.
“Titahi Bay cannot afford an empty and decaying school in the heart of the community,” Hayward warned. “This whenua must remain a community asset.”
He said the site’s location near new housing developments makes it ideal for continued community use, and urged that mana whenua, Ngāti Toa, be central in any discussions about its future.
“This cannot be the end of the story, but a new chapter,” he said. “Titahi Bay deserves a space that continues to serve and support our hapori.”