Century-old school near Huntly set to close doors
A century-old school west of Huntly is set for closure.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced yesterday that he is undertaking a second consultation about the proposed closure of Pukemiro School.
Commissioner Brad Totorewa was appointed to the school in April 2019, tasked with helping decide the school’s fate. Four options were considered, including shutting the school.
Hipkins said feedback from the community and nearby schools about the possible closure of Pukemiro School had been received. Hipkins has asked Totorewa to present any arguments in favour of the school remaining open before he makes a final decision.
Four students were on the school’s roll during term one this year. That has since dropped to one student. But one longtime Pukemiro resident says the loss of the school could open up new opportunities for the small rural community, west of Huntly.
‘‘It’s a shame whenever a school does close, but Pukemiro School has faced challenges for several years and no-one should be too surprised,’’ resident Lyndy Hassall said.
‘‘If the school is closed, there could be numerous things we could do with the site that could really benefit this community and help bring it together.’’
Hipkins, in a statement, said Pukemiro School has a proud history of serving generations of students since 1905, but the roll has been in decline for some time.
A proposal from Nga¯ Uri o Nga¯
Tokotoru had been considered for the school to become a designated character school supported by local hapu¯ . ‘‘However, the school has ageing infrastructure and is not in an ideal location to repurpose it as a designated character school,’’ Hipkins said.
Totorewa said the school would remain open until its fate is formally decided. Three parttime staff are still attached to the school.
‘‘What the minister is saying today is that he’s in a process to support a possible closure of the school.
‘‘So he’s now progressing that process. What that means for me is I need to respond in the next 28 days as to whether there are any community arguments or submissions for the school to remain open,’’ Totorewa said.
The prospect of the school closing has been on the community’s radar for some time. Driving that discussion is the school’s declining roll.
‘‘We call it a pipeline of enrolment. To sustain a school being open, all schools in New Zealand are required to have children enrol. I can’t predetermine what the community will say, but the community at large have been well-informed of the movement of the school over the past three to five years.’’
In 2019, Pukemiro School was given a $50,000 makeover. The revamp project included the upgrade and reconfiguration of internal spaces, including the main foyer, and new carpet. If the school does close, a ceremony will be held to acknowledge its contribution to the wider community, Totorewa said.
Hassall worked as a teacher aide at the school about seven years ago and said most residents are realistic about the school’s future. Many talented people live in Pukemiro and the school could potentially be converted into a community hub or centre to bring residents together.
‘‘I like the idea of a community garden where we could grow produce for the community. Pukemiro has got so much history, and it’s a shame if that got lost. It would be great if they kept a playground at the site, so kids could play there.’’