Education Minister Anne Tolley is facing criticism from two school communities over potential closures.
Aorangi Primary School in Christchurch is disappointed that Ms Tolley refused to meet a member of its delegation, which is fighting to keep the school open.
Board member Andrew Oh has questioned whether the Government's community consultation is meaningful if Ms Tolley will not meet its adviser, former Christchurch mayor Garry Moore.
But Ms Tolley says the legal process prohibits her from meeting anyone who is not a board member.
In the Tararua district, community members involved in the review of a school say Ms Tolley should have made clear that she had decided against closing schools in the area, saving the group unnecessary work.
