Trust founders reunite for facility launch

Life Education New Zealand life member Michael Cooney, Western Bay of Plenty chairperson Debbie Given and New Zealand chief executive John O'Connell last night celebrating 20 years of Life Education Trust teaching in the Bay of Plenty. photo / Andrew Warner

The iconic Life Education Trust celebrated a 20-year teaching milestone in Tauranga last night.

The celebration coincided with the launch of the new mobile classroom which would take the place of the last classroom, destroyed in an arson attack in June 2012.

Among last night's guests were some of the original trustees who brought the trust to the Bay of Plenty in 1987.

Life Education New Zealand chief executive John O'Connell said it was a great occasion to celebrate with the trustees.

"A whole lot of people have been involved in that history and a lot of them are still here today."

The new upgraded mobile classroom was only the second in New Zealand which incorporated the new technology.

Its design won the trust a nomination to represent New Zealand at the 2013 World Summit Awards and the other 43 classrooms nationwide would be upgraded to match it over the next two-and-a-half years.

An original trustee, Michael Cooney, who had dedicated 34 years to the trust, was last night recognised with a New Zealand Life Membership award.

Western Bay of Plenty chairperson Debbie Given said Mr Cooney was a trustee since the inception and a humble man.