New classrooms for Taupo schools part of $73m Government investment in region

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement in Tauranga today. Photo/File

Two Taupo schools will get new teaching spaces as part of a Government investment announcement.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced at Otumoetai College in Tauranga today a major investment to replace crumbling classrooms, and provide new modern learning spaces for students in Waikato, Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty.

Around $73 million is to be invested in two major redevelopments and 39 new roll growth classrooms at 15 schools in the three regions.

The Government will spend $47m to repair Otumoetai College buildings which have suffered weather-tightness problems and are in poor condition.

They also announced an additional $20m for 39 new roll growth teaching spaces to be built at schools across Waikato, Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty including at Taupo's Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakarewa Te Reo Ki Tuwharetoa and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College which will receive two new learning spaces each.

"This Government is focused on rebuilding education and in the case of these big school redevelopments we are taking that literally, fixing leaky buildings and creating modern and safe spaces for kids to learn in," Ardern said.

The redevelopment will replace 57 teaching spaces, the library, and provide a new entrance for the college.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has arrived at Otumoetai College in Tauranga to make a funding announcement.

Posted by Bay of Plenty Times on Tuesday, 28 August 2018

"This Government is taking a responsible approach to ensure funding is available in areas where student numbers are growing," Hipkins said.

"This investment will create more teaching spaces and give thousands of students the opportunity to learn in a better environment than they've been used to."

$5.5m will be spent on 11 teaching spaces in Bay of Plenty schools including:
-Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakarewa | Te Reo Ki Tuwharetoa – 2 teaching spaces
- Tauranga Boys' College – 3 teaching spaces
- Oropi School – 4 teaching spaces
-Taupo-nui-a-Tia College - 2 teaching spaces.

$9m will be spent on 18 teaching spaces in Waikato schools including:
-Te Kauwhata Primary – 4 teaching spaces
-Fairfield Primary – 4 teaching spaces
-Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Bernard Fergusson – 2 teaching spaces
-Nawton School – 2 teaching spaces
-Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Patetere – 2 teaching spaces
-Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga – 4 teaching spaces.

$5.5m will be spent on 10 teaching spaces at Hawkes' Bay schools, including:
- Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa – 3 teaching spaces
- Mahora School – 2 teaching spaces
- Eskdale School – 2 teaching spaces
- Frimley School – 2 teaching spaces
- Kaiti School - 1 teaching space.