Fears that New Zealand franchises of ABC Developmental Learning Centres Ltd, including the Gore franchise, could follow their Australian counterparts to the receivers' office have been laid to rest for now.
Although ABC Gore manager Laura Trott did not wish to comment, ABC Developmental Learning Centres (New Zealand) general manager Craig Presland said the New Zealand business was not included on a list of companies associated with ABC Group Australia that were last week placed in the hands of receivers.
‘‘The New Zealand business is currently operating as a profitable and successful, standalone entity,'' Mr Presland said.
‘‘We realise that media speculation about the future of the ABC Group has weighed heavily on our staff, our parents and guardians. However, we are pleased to be able to say that, thanks to their ongoing support, we are in a good position.
‘‘We have 119 centres around the country with another four due to join the group shortly. We currently provide quality care for more than 7700 children and enjoy occupancy rates of above 80 per cent nationally,'' he said.
Education sector union New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) secretary Paul Goulter said the announcement that ABC Learning New Zealand was not being placed in receivership would be welcomed by thousands of staff and parents, but there was still uncertainty ahead.
‘‘Staff and parents will be relieved to know they won't be facing any immediate disruption, but the future of ABC is still far from clear,'' Mr Goulter said.
‘‘We know very little about the way ABC operates in New Zealand and how independent it is from its parent company.
‘‘Just because the New Zealand arm of the business is not being placed in receivership, does not mean an end to the uncertainty,'' he warned.
‘‘The Australian Government has said it had contingency plans ready should ABC be placed in receivership. NZEI will continue to monitor the situation and urges the New Zealand government to do the same,'' Mr Goulter said.
