Chief Ombudsman Dame Beverley Wakem launched the inquiry today.
The Education Act requires the Education Minister to consult prior to closing or merging schools and the Ministry plays a key role in assisting the Minister with those consultations.
Dame Beverley will be looking in detail at a number of closure and merger consultations carried out in recent years, including the process currently underway in Christchurch.
Dame Beverley is asking anyone who has information relevant to the investigation to contact her office.
Te Kāea approached the Minister of Education for comment on the issue and Hekia Parata joined presenter Piripi Taylor from Mātangireia in Parliament.
Reporter: Piripi Taylor.