Investment in Lower North Island Classrooms

Education Minister Erica Stanford announced $10 million to deliver new classrooms across the lower North Island, taking the total spend on new classrooms to over $1.2 billion over the past 3 years.

Today’s announcement will deliver 14 new teaching spaces to schools in the lower North Island that are at, or over, capacity.

“This investment will ensure students have the space they need to learn, and that schools can respond to growing rolls,” Ms Stanford says.

The $10 million growth package for lower North Island schools includes classrooms for: 

Feilding High School – 2 classrooms 
Paraparaumu College – 6 classrooms 
Wainuiomata High School – 4 classrooms 

Ms Stanford said this investment also provides two new technology spaces at Mount Cook School in Wellington, which will support students from across the local area. 

“These schools have been under pressure from growing student numbers. Delivering these classrooms will ease that pressure and support better environments for teaching and learning.” 

She said today’s announcement brings the total number of new classrooms funded in the lower North Island to 153 over the past three years and nearly 1400 across New Zealand.

“As a result of this, more students will be learning in new, warm, safe, dry classrooms.

“The Government has been able to deliver more bang for buck by improving the way school property is planned and built.

“Since July 2024, the average cost of a classroom has reduced significantly by using standard designs, off-site manufacturing, and making better use of existing assets. This has resulted in $300 million worth of savings that have been reinvested into the education sector.

“This means our funding is going further than it did before, and even more classrooms can be delivered.” 

Ms Stanford says that while parts of the lower North Island may not be under pressure from population growth, there is a clear need to address condition-related property issues across the region. We are working to take a coordinated approach, so alongside targeted growth investment, we are focused on protecting what we already have.” 

Eight schools will also receive significant upgrade and redevelopment funding to address long-standing condition issues: 

Hutt Valley High School in Lower Hutt 
Mana College in Porirua 
Porirua School in Porirua 
Porritt School in Napier 
Raureka School in Hastings 
Te Paepae o Aotea in Hāwera 
Waiopehu College in Levin 
Waipukurau School in Waipukurau 

“These schools have been dealing with aging buildings that are no longer fit for purpose. This investment will allow us to fix those issues and bring facilities up to a standard that students and staff expect,” says Ms Stanford. 

Ms Stanford says maintaining existing school property is a priority. 

“Across the country we need to look after the infrastructure that we already have. This means investing in repairs and upgrades so classrooms remain fit for purpose.” 

“We are getting the balance right. Schools need to have enough space, and that space needs to be in good condition. This investment supports both new investment and looking after what we already have.” ...