Schools whose international trips collapsed band together

UP to 20 schools have clubbed together to get to the bottom of whether their pupils are entitled to refunds for cancelled education trips.

Antipodeans Abroad, which organised tours for pupils from schools such as Otago’s Kavanagh College and Taieri College, went into liquidation in New Zealand and Australia last month.

The first liquidation report for the New Zealand operation provided little cause for hope for families wanting their money back but the news could be more positive for those who have taken their fight to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

Kapiti College principal Tony Kane, who is leading the media response for schools, said he was cautiously optimistic.

‘‘It’s looking pretty positive,’’ he said.

The Otago Daily Times is aware of at least one positive result.

Antipodeans Abroad was in a dispute with its insurer, 360 Accident and Health.

The insurance company had refused to pay out but the ODT understands at least one challenge to that has been successful.

Nineteen pupils from Kavanagh College were to travel to Cambodia this year but the tour was called off because of Covid19.

About 30 Taieri College pupils were to travel to Nepal next year and that trip, too, was called off.

Many pupils had worked parttime or took on fundraising activities before their planned trips.

Each family in Otago had paid thousands of dollars.

Liquidator Nexia New Zealand said in its report released last week that their money was held in a New Zealand bank account.

Customers affected by cancelled trips were not considered creditors, Nexia’s report said.