Consultation concern over school building

ISSUES: Wayne Bradshaw.

Hastings councillor Wayne Bradshaw says residents are concerned about a lack of transparency in the building of a new kura kaupapa in Havelock North.

Mr Bradshaw said "many residents" had approached him about the school, to be built on the site of Arataki Motor Camp.

"There's been a call from locals who are concerned they have not been advised or consulted on what is happening. The concern they're raising is why haven't we heard about it, why has no one spoken to us? You would have thought the Government would have been open and transparent about what was happening, and why."

He is proposing a public meeting, to be held at the motor camp this month with locals, Tukituki MP Craig Foss and a Ministry of Education representative.

The gathering would aim to give full disclosure to residents about the school and the decision-making behind it.

Mr Foss this week admitted he had been caught "on the hop" with the revelation that the school was to be built on the site of the Arataki Motor Camp, although he had been aware a new kura kaupapa was planned for Hastings.

He said yesterday Ministry of Education officials had "dropped the ball".

"No one discussed the proposal with me, nor has anyone recently raised with me the need for a new school in Havelock North. I know Havelock North Intermediate and Havelock North High School are in need of capital investment."

He had known that the motor camp site had been designated for education purposes for a number of years, but he was "surprised" to learn of the proposal to shift the Hastings Kura Kaupapa there.

"I am disappointed not to have been informed of the proposal. If I had, I would have made my thoughts perfectly clear. I have asked the minister responsible for a briefing."

Mr Foss had yet to receive the briefing from Education Minister Hekia Parata yesterday.