Horowhenua College has dismissed staff member Asaria Saili following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a student. The school confirmed the dismissal on Monday, noting that internal concerns regarding his conduct were upheld. Police and the Teaching Council continue to investigate the matter, according to school principal Grant Congdon.
Why the dismissal occurred
Principal Grant Congdon informed parents of the decision in an email on Monday. According to the statement provided to RNZ, the school’s internal process concluded that concerns regarding Mr. Saili’s conduct were substantiated. As a result, his employment at the college has been terminated. While the school’s website previously identified Mr. Saili as the language dean, those details have since changed.
Status of external investigations
Multiple authorities are currently reviewing the case. Police confirmed on Tuesday that they are still making inquiries following a report received last month regarding “inappropriate behaviour by a teacher.” Concurrently, the Teaching Council is conducting its own process. Interim chief executive Tom Gott stated that the council has received serious concerns and has referred them to the appropriate statutory channels. According to Mr. Gott, the Teaching Council is working alongside the school and relevant agencies to address the matter.
Regulatory standing of the individual
The Teaching Council has clarified that Mr. Saili is not a currently registered teacher and does not hold an active authority to teach. While he previously held a Limited Authority to Teach (LAT), that document expired on March 7, 2026. Addressing the decision to comment on the case, Mr. Gott noted that the council usually maintains privacy during statutory processes, but in this instance, they deemed that “the public interest in the safety of children and young people outweighs the normal privacy considerations.”
What happens next
The ongoing investigations by police and the Teaching Council are likely to determine if further legal or regulatory actions are required. Principal Congdon indicated that the school is unable to provide additional comments at this time, citing a desire not to “pre-empt or adversely affect the outcome of these investigations.” Further developments may emerge once the police and Teaching Council conclude their respective inquiries into the reports received.
