Hastings kura to get new home in Waipatu

Expansion plans for an overcrowded Hastings kura kaupapa are back on track after the government finally found it a new home.

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu has been hoping to move from its present Parkvale site for more than two years so it can expand its education offering.

But, after a government announcement in 2015 that it would relocate to the site of a former Havelock North holiday park, the kura became embroiled in a backlash from Havelock North locals and environmental concerns over a neighbouring mushroom farm.

Many Havelock North residents wanted the former Arataki Holiday Park site used for the area’s fourth public primary school, rather than as a new home for the Maori language immersion school.

But the Ministry of Education was forced to change its plans last year after deciding odours from the nearby Te Mata Mushrooms Company made Arataki Rd an unsuitable location for a school.

The government has since promised additional classrooms for Havelock North’s existing primary schools and yesterday announced it had bought farmland on Bennett Rd, at Waipatu, for the kura.

Associate Education Minister Tim Macindoe said about $12 million would be spent on the land purchase, design and construction of the new facilities for the kura.

The kura is a decile 2 school that caters for pupils aged 5-13, and is part of a larger institution that also includes a kohanga reo, for younger children, and a wananga that offers tertiary education.

Macindoe said work was under way to designate the new site for education purposes and it was expected designation could be confirmed early next year.

‘‘In the meantime, the ministry will progress a master plan for the new kura and prepare for the capital works project.’’