Millions for new classrooms in Wellington

The Government has announced $41 million for new classrooms across the Wellington region as it faces looming demand for new spaces for about 2500 students.

It comes as Education Minister Chris Hipkins says a nationwide, billion-dollar funding boost is only a start to dealing with the expected decade-long student boom.

Of the Wellington money, $27m would be set aside to build up to 40 new classrooms, providing 700 additional student places at 11 schools.

Hipkins made the announcement at Paraparaumu College, which will receive 10 new classrooms as part of the package.

He said the Government anticipated that the new Transmission Gully road would open ‘‘some time in the first half of next year’’, pushing up population pressure on the Ka¯ piti Coast.

Easing classroom pressure on the Ka¯ piti Coast would form part of the ministry’s Wellington growth plan, which forecasts that about 2500 additional student spaces may be needed in the region by 2030.

Hipkins said $1.2 billion allocated by Budget 2019 across the country over the next 10 years, along with existing money, would only cover about half the expected national need.

‘‘In future Budgets, we’ll keep adding to that so we’ll stay ahead of the . . . growth curve.’’

The Wellington money would supply ‘‘the equivalent’’ of new classrooms, with schools able to help decide what the buildings would look like and how they might be designed, he said. Planning could start immediately.

College principal Craig Steed said he only found out the previous day about the funding, which was ‘‘fantastic news’’ for the school and the region.

He said the college had about 1300 students, with ongoing annual roll growth. It had been about 20 years since the last major infrastructure spend there – a gymnasium.

‘‘We are already at capacity, and we need to be creative next year about how we use teaching and learning spaces – so this is absolutely welcome news.’’

Hipkins said another $14m of the $41m would go to two regional kura kaupapa schools for rebuilds and replacements.

The money would be used to replace four classrooms at Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano in O¯ taki, and to help rebuild Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ ori o Nga¯ Mokopuna in Wellington.

Whakatupuranga Rua Mano school manager Anihaera Armstrong said the school, which had been waiting for new classrooms for several years, was thrilled by the announcement.

She said the pressure on the school had seen some senior students forced to be ‘‘a bit nomadic’’ between classrooms, and they had even occasionally used space at the nearby Wa¯nanga o Raukawa. Adventure School, two new classrooms for 44 places.

Kelson School, two new classrooms, 44 places.

Kimi Ora School, eight new classrooms, 80 new places.

Mahinawa Specialist School and Resource Centre, four new classrooms, 40 places.

Pahiatua School, two new classrooms, 44 places.

Paraparaumu College, 10 new classrooms, 220 new places.

Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ori o nga¯ Mokopuna, two new classes and redevelopment of existing school, 36 places.

Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ori o te Ara Wha¯nui, four new classrooms, 72 places. Te Kura-a¯-iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano, two new classrooms and four replacements, 36 places. Trentham School, two new classrooms, 44 places.

Waikanae School, two new classrooms for 44 places.