A planned relocation of the TKKM o Te Wānanga Whare Tāpere o Takitimu to a site in Havelock North will not go ahead. PHOTO/Paul Taylor
The planned relocation of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tāpere o Takitimu to a site in Havelock North will not go ahead.
As Hawke's Bay Today reported, this morning the Ministry of Education announced the Kura Kaupapa was a step closer to opening new facilities, with a
"preferred site" identified - which would not be the Arataki Motor Camp site.
Ministry of Education Director for Hawkes Bay/Gisborne Roy Sye said it was important all children had the opportunity to learn in safe, healthy and comfortable environments.
"The kura's current premises are too small, and as a result it has had to turn away a number of children," he said.
"The new kura was going to be built on an Arataki Road site in Havelock North owned by the Ministry. However an environmental evaluation of the site has led us to conclude that the site is not suitable for educational purposes."
The evaluation report found the Arataki Road site was likely to be affected by odour emissions from a nearby mushroom farm, which they had concluded would be a distraction to learning.
The report was based on complaints records in the area, the predominant wind direction, and consideration of recommended separation distances from the mushroom farm.
"We have now identified a new preferred site in the Hastings area and a final decision will be made as soon as practicable," Mr Sye said. "We will work with the kura on the site selection and the design of their new buildings with the aim of having them open by the end of 2018."
Recently the Ministry of Education has announced major redevelopments scheduled for Hastings and Havelock North, including the redevelopment of Flaxmere College, replacing existing classrooms with 22 flexible learning spaces, and repairing the school's hall and gym. Total cost around $14m.
