Report into Mason Pendrous' death released

The University of Canterbury hopes all recommendations made in an independent report into the death of student there will be in place by the time students begin the new academic year. Mason Pendrous' body was found at the Sonoda hall of residence in late September, but its believed he died between two to four weeks earlier. Retired Judge Kit Toogood QC was commissioned by the university to look into the death of the 19-year-old and he released his report on Friday. He has recommended greater levels of care for first-year students. He says Campus Living Villages, which runs Sonoda, should consider requiring regular face-to-face contact between resident assistants and students and students should be required to inform Sonoda if they plan to be absent for a period of time. Chancellor of the University of Canterbury's council Sue McCormack told our reporter Rachel Graham the release of the report would again be a difficult time for Mason's family. Campus Living Villages says it will implement all the changes which it and the University agrees are necessary.