Four new schools planned for Auckland region

The government has unveiled plans to build four new schools and one major school expansion in the Auckland region.

The $240 million investment in Auckland school property under Budget 2017 will add significant capacity to the city’s education network, according to education minister Nikki Kaye and associate education inister Tim Macindoe.

“This is another huge investment in schools in our fastest growing city, which follows on from $162 million for Auckland school property under last year’s Budget,” says Ms Kaye.

“The $240 million will deliver four new schools, one major school expansion, the relocation of two special education schools, new roll growth and replacement classrooms and additional special education satellite units.”

Plans include:

• around $22 million for a new primary school in the Pukekohe Belmont area (planned roll of 350)

• around $25 million for a new primary school in the Orewa area (planned roll of 420)

• around $20 million for a new primary school in the Drury area (planned roll of 370)

• around $24 million for a new kura in Manurewa, to house Te Kura Kaupapa Maoro o Manurewa and Te Wharekura o Manurewa.

• around $20 million to carry out a phased expansion of Stonefields School (to eventually provide 450 additional student places)

• around $22 million for the co-location and rebuild of Carlson and Sunnydene special education schools on a new site

• $87 million for around 170 classrooms, including new and replacement classrooms

• $9 million for five new special education satellite units (to be built on the grounds of existing schools).

“The main focus of the investment unveiled today is creating extra capacity to support growth in Auckland,” says Ms Kaye.

“In 2014, we announced an accelerated growth programme aimed at building nine new schools and additional classrooms to deliver an extra 17,000 student places in Auckland by 2019.

“So far, more than 8,000 of these additional student places have been delivered. The remaining places are all at various stages of delivery, from planning or design through to consenting and construction, and will be delivered by 2019.

“This latest package will provide a further 4,000 student places on top of the 17,000 already announced, which means we’re now on-track to deliver an extra 21,000 student places in Auckland by 2021.

“Special education schools and Maori-medium education all benefit from this package, reflecting the choice and inclusiveness inherent in our education system,” says Mr Macindoe.