Councillor keeps up fight over kura plan

Hastings councillor Malcolm Dixon.

A Hastings councillor is continuing his fight against the relocation of a Hastings kura to Havelock North.

Malcolm Dixon has put himself at the forefront of a public campaign called "School For Havelock North", garnering support from those wanting a new primary school at the Arataki site instead of a kura.

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu required a new site after receiving its official "wharekura status" from Minister of Education Hekia Parata, which meant it could expand from a primary school to a high school.

The new site on Arataki Rd in Havelock North will allow room for 300 more students, with capability to expand to 600. But the decision was met with backlash from some locals, and Mr Dixon announced the launch of a website on Friday for locals to sign up to.

Tukituki MP Craig Foss had said he would support another primary school in Havelock North if it was required.

"We need the right schools, in the right place, at the right time."

Mr Dixon told Hawke's Bay Today yesterday that a number of names on the new website were those of "disenchanted National Party supporters".

He said 50 questions were lodged with the Ministry of Education on March 15, one of them asking whether Ms Parata had received letters from National MPs about the relocation of the kura.

Mr Dixon said her answer was that she received a letter on March 2 from Mr Foss which focused on mainstream Havelock North primary school rolls and only referred to the kura by "implication".

On Friday, Mr Foss said the Labour Party campaign was about politics but what he was focused on was getting the best education for the kids.