The Government's being asked not to drop the axe quite yet on Turakina Girls' College.

Past and present students gathered at Parliament yesterday, performing a haka in the rain to protest the possible closure of the Marton school.

Through a loud-hailer, protesting Year 13 students spoke about their experience at the school, including head girl Te Arihi Leaf, who credited the school with helping her education, to the extent she would study law at Auckland University of Technology next year.

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox said the falling roll has been a problem, but the school needs time to turn that around.

She said the threat of closure has motivated the community into action.

"We've been trying, there has been support given over the last couple of years to try and turn that around, but this looks like its galvanised this community of old girls and I think we'll see changes now."

But Education Minister Hekia Parata said a falling school roll means the school doesn't have the funds it needs.

"And that's a parental choice, if parents aren't choosing to send their daughters and grand daughters to this school, it makes it difficult for it to be viable."