Educational Leadership

Halls of residence had a "duty of care" to students and the Government would look closely at whether the regulatory framework was fit for purpose, he said.

"If you're going into a hall of residence or hostel you're paying a top dollar for not just a roof over your head but also for the pastoral care that goes with that. I think that clearly that has not been present in this case."

The university released a statement saying it was "inconceivable to imagine how these circumstances could have occurred".

The delay in finding Mr Pendrous has sparked concerns about the level of pastoral care at university halls in New Zealand, several investigations and an urgent government-led review of the regulatory framework that applies to student accommodation.