Boards are given the power under the Education Act 1989 to control the management of the school. They are the legal bodies with legal obligations to govern the school in accordance with the Acts and Regulations of Parliament and within the school's own charter. The Board of Trustees assumes responsibility for a range of matters including personnel, finance, governance, property and the School Charter.
The Whenuapai School Board of Trustees meets in the staffroom at the school. The meetings are usually held twice a term on a Monday evening. Meetings of the Board are open to the public but they are not public meetings. In other words, members of the public may attend (except during in-committee business) but members of the public do not have speaking or voting rights. Meetings are advertised in the weekly school newsletter.
The Board of Trustees at Whenuapai School has 7 parent representatives, one staff representative and the principal.Bi-elections are held every 18 months to ensure there are always experienced members on the Board.
Minutes of the meetings are available on the school website.