The teaching farm, once owned by the college and now leased by Taihape Area School.
Photo: Supplied
Taihape people established the teaching farm on 13 hectares next to Taihape College 30 years ago but the Ministry of Education has taken it and put it in the landbank for Treaty settlements, and the school can now only lease it.
The Ombudsman is looking at whether to investigate.
"It's very unfortunate. I think you could effectively say that the community asset has been stolen by the Education Ministry," Rangitīkei National MP Ian McKelvie said.
"And of course, it's gotten into the process now where it's very difficult to get it back from."