Parents in New Zealand and overseas are fuming at the financial losses they’re facing due to the unexpected liquidation of Actura Australia Pty Ltd, which offered trips to NASA in the United States.
Several east Auckland schools, and a number of local families, have been caught up in the distressing situation.
In an email to parents yesterday, Actura Australia Pty Ltd chief executive officer Charles Chung said: “It is with regret and sadness that I must advise that Actura Australia Pty Ltd has with immediate effect gone into liquidation, today 14th June 2024.”
The Times contacted Actura NZ via email today, June 15, about the company’s liquidation and received a reply stating: “Thank you for your email. Unfortunately Actura has ceased all operations. This inbox is no longer monitored.”
Since reporting this morning about the company’s liquidation, the Times has been contacted by parents impacted by the situation and who live in east Auckland, Orewa, Tauranga and even two in Australia.
One local parent, who wants to remain anonymous, says her son was supposed to visit NASA in just a couple of weeks.
Her family lives in east Auckland but her son was not doing the trip through his school.
She says Actura approached her and said her son could do the trip independently in July this year “with the group that comprises other school kids and some other independent kids”.
“They took all the money, got all the meetings, and hyped all the kids up.
“Supposedly everything should be booked by then and hence they could have the liquidation after, but no, they do it now, disappointing many kids, and stated they will not refund our $13,000.
“I have no idea what can be done now honestly.
“They were supposed to go just a few weeks later, and honestly it’s like a big disappointment when they have set up all the meetings, getting them into groups, showing all the itinerary just a few weeks ago.
“It’s crazy to hear all of a sudden this is not happening.
“I called ANZ Bank but they cannot do much too, so basically I am $13,000 out with no refund and no help.
“If I get some money back at least I can plan another activity for the kid for this coming holiday, maybe a family trip to compensate, but now we just can’t. I have no extra cash already.”
One Wellington parent says there was a group from three girls’ schools in the capital who were booked to go on the trip next month.
“There were some kids in the cohort who went to schools in other parts of the country too. I don’t even know how I’m going to tell my daughter.”
Another parent, who lives in Half Moon Bay and also wishes to be anonymous, says his family enrolled with Actura’s Space programme as individuals and not as part of a school.
“The program is scheduled to depart early next month.
“Everything proceeded smoothly, including a Zoom meeting with instructors, parents, and other participants from our cohort on May 20, 2024.
“We made payment in instalments, around $14,000 for the trip.
“This amount covers travel, accommodation, visits to Space schools, and miscellaneous expenses.”
A fourth parent, who lives in Orewa, says his son was set to go on the trip in December this year.
“What’s interesting is that in May they offered us the opportunity to pay the outstanding balance in full at a 10 per cent discount – some $15,000.
“We didn’t take this up at the time, but I feel pretty angry for those parents who might have taken this option.”
A parent in Australia who contacted the Times about the situation says he prepaid AUD$11,000 in April for his son to go on the Space Camp trip next year.
One parent in Tauranga says their child attends a school in that city and their family has now lost $10,000 due to the situation.
“The trip was expected to cost close to $13,000 and was able to be paid in instalments.
“The last instalment was due shortly. Several months ago they emailed offering families the opportunity to pay the full amount up front and a small discount would be applied.”
