New Northland school taking shape after allocation of funding

The new e Kura Kaupapa o Te Tonga o Hokianga at Koutu Pt is expected to be completed by mid 2020. Photo/Supplied

Construction of a new $12 million school in a small Northland community has started after a protracted legal between the Ministry of Education and locals.

Work on the new Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Tonga o Hokianga at Koutu Point, beside the Hokianga Harbour, started in June this year and is expected to be completed in mid 2020.

Presently earthworks are being undertaken by ministry contractors Argon Construction, of Auckland, to prepare the ground for laying of the foundations.

The existing kura at Whirinaki is made up predominantly of temporary buildings on a leased, undersized site prone to flooding, and lacks specialist learning facilities that senior students need for subjects such as science.

The new kura is being built on a more suitable site on flat land as part of a $12.4 million project comprising new classrooms, library, administration, gymnasium/ multipurpose space, remote learning suite and other features.

The existing school will continue operating until the new kura is complete.

The new building will accommodate up to 150 students and can be expanded to cater for up to 200.

Ministry's head of education infrastructure service, Kim Shannon, said staff and the principal of Whirinaki School were expected to run the new kura.

"Staffing numbers in schools and kura are dependent on the student roll, which can fluctuate from one year to the next. There can also be changes in staffing due to promotion, resignation or retirement," she said.

In 2014, a row erupted between the ministry and the local community which wanted the existing school at Whirinaki expanded instead of being moved to a new site.

The dispute reached the Environment Court and a special three-day hearing was held at the Copthorne Hotel at Omapere.

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga was granted wharekura (high school) status in April 2010, entitling it to extra accommodation and classrooms.

The ministry opted for relocation rather than expanding the existing school because of the risk of flooding, land availability and tenure.

Hokianga resident Diana Ellis of Te Hikutu hapu, who represented herself, and 11 witnesses at the court hearing, yesterday said she opposed the new site for environmental reasons.

She said the quality of the harbour water and the kaimoana in it were crucial to the wellbeing of children.

"I am a strong advocate for the development of the new Kura Kaupapa, indeed any development that benefits the people of Hokianga.

"But I vigorously oppose to the location for the new kurakaupapa at Koutu Point for environmental reasons.

"The main concerns are the environmental impacts on the Hokianga harbour from outfall of stormwater and the onsite sewage treatment system."

But the ministry argued any adverse environmental effects from the proposal would be less than minor, and could be mitigated with conditions imposed.