$3.7 million for Te Atatu Intermediate

Artist impression of a $3.7 million redevelopment at the Te Atatu Intermediate School in Auckland. Photo / Supplied

Auckland's Te Atatu Intermediate School will get $3.7 million towards new learning spaces, the Government has announced today.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says the money will see a new two-storey block built, containing six open plan classrooms, two of which will become the new satellite for Arohanui Special school.

Most of the new learning spaces are to address roll growth, she says.

"Like schools in other parts of Auckland, Te Atatu Intermediate is experiencing growing rolls, with the number of students increasing from around 290 in 2012 to around 330 this year," says Kaye.

The announcement is the latest on top of a further $72 million announced around the Auckland region alone over the past two months for school redevelopments and upgrades.

"Over the next four years the roll is expected to increase further, reflecting ongoing population growth in the surrounding area. This redevelopment will support a roll of 400," Kaye says.

"The four learning spaces on the top storey of the new block will be used by Te Atatu Intermediate, while the two spaces on the ground floor will become the new satellite for the Arohanui Special School.

"Arohanui Special School currently operates out of a relocatable building on the Te Atatu Intermediate site. This building will be removed once the new two-storey block is completed."

As part of the redevelopment, improved access and drop-off areas will also be provided for students of Arohanui Special School.

"Around $2 million of this total $3.7 million redevelopment is coming from Budget 2016, which earmarked $18 million for a number of classrooms announced for Auckland in July 2015 which require additional funding, and which now have final approval.

"This year's Budget set aside $882.5 million in total for school infrastructure. Around $153 million of this will be invested in school property in greater Auckland, and this is on top of around a quarter of a billion dollars invested by the Government over the two years to May 2016 to upgrade and grow Auckland schools."

Other Auckland schools to have benefited so far include; Te Huruhi School, Waiheke Island, $23 million; Waiheke High School $17 million; Northcote Primary School $5.7 million; Newmarket School $8.7 million, Clayton Park School $14.5 million.