"The previous Government didn't adequately plan for growth and for too long schools have had to make do by using libraries and school halls when their school rolls increased.
"We want New Zealand to be the best place to be a child and that means learning in warm, comfortable and modern classrooms.
"We need to make sure families in some of our fastest-growing areas around the country can be confident their local schools will have enough space for their kids.
"Today's release of the regional growth plans is part of the wider National Education Growth Plan [NEGP], which forecasts that an additional 100,000 new student places are needed across the country by 2030."
"In the Hawke's Bay/Tairāwhiti, 10 schools are getting 23 classrooms worth $15 million. This includes eight classrooms for three kura, and a special school receiving four new classrooms," Hipkins said.
Kowhai Special School principal Sarah Roil said while they had been given advanced knowledge of some sort of announcement, it was a welcome surprise.
The school caters for students with the highest needs in the region, but currently doesn't have the classroom capacity to take everyone that wants to enrol.
When the classrooms are built, and on which of its five sites, would now be discussed with the Ministry of Education, she said.
"We are absolutely thrilled."
GOVT'S NEW CLASSROOM INVESTMENT
Gisborne
Kaiti School 2
Te Wharau School 2
Whangara School 3
Hastings and Hastings rural
Kowhai Special School 4
Mahora School 1
Mayfair School 2
Maraekakaho School 2
Napier catchment
Clive School 1
Ruatoria
Hiruharama School 4
Wairoa
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa 2
Total 23
