New block eases shock of blast

A Kaitaia College metalwork classroom badly damaged in an explosion last month will be knocked down after the Government gave the school $848,000 to rebuild the technology block.
Students, teachers and management were "rapt" a new technology block will be built as it would allow the school to move on from horrid memories of the April 11 explosion.
Six students and one teacher were hospitalised after an explosion happened near the back of the metalwork class. Tools and debris were thrown around the room, with some tools embedding in a wall and blackboard.
A NZ Fire Service investigation has found that acetylene gas had been accidentally ignited after a welding torch valve had been left open. However, Occupational Safety and Health, which is running its own investigation, has not confirmed that finding as it has not finished its investigation.
Kaitaia College deputy principal John Paitai said the school was "thrilled" with the funding as it had little money left in its maintenance budget to fix up the 60-year-old block, let alone replace it.
"It's certainly helped to alleviate anxiety about how we're going to replace what we've got left," Mr Paitai said.
The school had been wanting to replace the technology block, which houses three classrooms, for the past 10 years.
Every five years the Government funds schools for property maintenance projects. Kaitaia College's entitlement for the new technology classroom is $848,000.
The school is due to receive its property maintenance allocation next year, which means the school will have a total of $1,696,000 to play with over the next five years.
The decision as to when to start rebuilding would be discussed at the college's next board of trustees meeting on June 21.
Te Tai Tokerau MP Dover Samuels announced the money would be given to Kaitaia College on Friday, and his news was thanked with a vigorous haka.
Mr Samuels visited the school the day after the blast, promising to assist people with transport to see sick friends and relatives in Whangarei and Auckland Hospital.
Mr Paitai said Mr Samuels was given a booklet written by the students and teacher injured in the blast about their experience.