Auckland's Catholic all-Maori boarding school needs help in and out of the classroom to have a sustainable future, the Education Review Office says.

ERO's generally positive report on Hato Petera College with 99 pupils came as the North Shore school went through significant changes including a new principal and board of trustees chairman and with many pupils leaving.

Staff have been cut as a result.

"The board, staff, parents and students are positive that the new principal provides the leadership to strategically manage the improvements required to move the school forward," the ERO said.

There was growing stability in the school, which has been subjected to four ERO reports out of the normal cycle.

The latest said there were important factors impacting negatively on the school and its students' performance.

ERO called on the board and principal to strengthen governance to develop a cohesive and united approach and to address the school's financial concerns.

It wanted the school to improve the quality of assessment and analysis to identify trends and patterns of student progress.

"ERO recommends that the board of trustees seek external support to address the concerns identified in this report, particularly those relating to improving governance, student achievement and the sustainability of the school."

- © Fairfax NZ News