The government has announced $28 million will be spent on building more “safe, warm and dry classrooms” for tāmariki in Māori full immersion schools.
Twenty new classrooms will be built across four providers, and work will begin on the first stage of a new school north of Auckland.
- Eight classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Whanui in Lower Hutt
- Six classrooms at Te Wharekura o Arowhenua in Invercargill
- Four classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hokianga in Kaikohe
- Two classrooms at Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa in Hamilton
The new development, for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki in Kaiwaka, will eventually have 19 classrooms, Minister of Education Erica Stanford said on Friday.
“This Matariki, I am proud to be celebrating the Māori New Year with investing in the future of our tāmariki so they have the spaces and support they need to flourish.”
Construction on the modular buildings is expected to begin in the next 12 months.
“Safe, warm and dry learning environments are essential for effective teaching and learning,” Stanford said. “By using modular construction, we can deliver classrooms more quickly and make our investment go further.”
She said it was part of a $50 million Budget allocation to deliver 50 new classrooms for Māori medium and Kaupapa Māori education.
“We remain committed to properly resourcing our bilingual education system and lifting achievement for Māori students. That includes ensuring our tāmariki have warm, safe and dry classrooms to thrive in,” Stanford said.
The announcement was made at Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, during Matariki Hautapu celebrations with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
National did not support making Matariki a holiday when it became one in 2022.
rnz.co.nz
