New Zealand creates new care law after student lay dead for weeks in dorm room
Education minister says case of Mason Pendrous ‘exposed the limitations’ of pastoral care system
New Zealand has created a new offence that makes serious breaches of student pastoral care punishable by a fine of up to NZ$100,000 (£50,000) following outcry over the case of Mason Pendrous, who lay dead in his university hall of residence for weeks.
Education minister Chris Hipkins said on Monday: “The recent death at a student hall of residence in Christchurch exposed the limitations of our current system.