Protests won’t stop demolition: minister
Protests aimed at saving the Te Wharekura o Arowhenua Tainui auditorium from demolition will not stop the Education Ministry from bulldozing it, the minister reponsible says.
Contractors arrived to demolish the building on Monday after the school’s final proposal to subdivide and sell it off was rejected.
The building, originally built for Cargill High School, was deemed too large for the kura’s needs.
Following a meeting with parents and concerned public on Wednesday, principal Arni Wainui said there could be protests at the site if Education Minister Hekia Parata did not visit to discuss the demolition.
‘‘Pens and letters’’ would probably not work and the time had come to stand up and be counted, Mrs Wainui said.
‘‘That’s what it’s all about. We need that building.’’
Security was working day and night shifts at the site, she said.
However, yesterday Associate Education Minister Craig Foss said neither he nor Mrs Parata would visit the school.
Discussions about the auditorium’s demolition had been going on for months and all avenues had been exhausted, Mr Foss said.
He said no-one was willing to take ownership of the building.
Protests would not change the ministry’s mind, despite the passion some people had for the facility, he said.
‘‘The demolition has commenced and will continue.’’
He had been told the building would cost more than $1 million to make safe because of asbestos and problems with the concrete.
Last-minute attempts to save the auditorium were continuing yesterday.
Mrs Wainui was not deterred by Mr Foss’s refusal to visit.
‘‘Looks like the fight is on,’’ she said.
The kura had lodged a complaint with the ombudsman over the ministry’s handling of the demolition.
‘‘Our problem comes under his jurisdiction,’’ Mrs Wainui said.
‘‘He can stop anything and look into the whole thing again.’’
She was also working with resource teacher Tiahuia KaweSmall on a proposal for the Tainui iwi to buy the auditorium.
She said the North Island iwi could want the building as an outpost for the tribe in Invercargill.
‘‘It’s a desperate move by some people.
‘‘They (Tainui) might not even consider it.’’
Mr Foss asked why the option had not been pursued in the past year and said he would be surprised if anyone wanted to buy the auditorium now.
The Education Ministry did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.