The NZ Government is investing more in classrooms and school building projects with the $100 million Short-Term Roll Growth programme, preventing the overcrowding of schools while helping students and teachers focus on their education. 

Due to the increase of school rolls across the country, the extra investment was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis during their visit to Ruakākā School in Whangārei. 

The Ruakākā School is the first school to benefit from a $150 million top-up for shovel-ready school property projects. As part of the Short-Term Roll Growth programme, it is expected to receive two extra classrooms. 

“We have committed to ensuring all schools have access to quality learning environments and this is us delivering on that promise,” Prime Minister Ardern said. 

“All children deserve a suitable classroom to learn in and it is our responsibility to ensure they have that so they can get the best possible educational opportunities.” 

Prime Minister Ardern said the school property investment was an injection into the country’s economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The announced projects are estimated to create more than 200 employment opportunities for New Zealanders. 

“Schools across Aotearoa are growing, and Te Tai Tokerau is no exception,” Minister Davis said. 

“It is important that we provide them with the classrooms they need, so they can focus on teaching and learning.” 

The $150 million shovel-ready funding provides additional financial support to existing school property projects that needed a boost so that the delivery could start in a challenging market. The funding will address cost escalation and other pressures to ensure that project delivery is not delayed. 

Kamo High School in Whangārei will also receive over $7 million top-ups for a major redevelopment of their main teaching block. This project will replace two end-of-life teaching blocks with a single two-storey teaching block providing 22 classrooms.

Kamo High School is expected to handle a capacity of up to 1,000 students by the end of the Short-Term Roll Growth programme. 

Aside from the Ruakākā School and Kamo High School projects, the Prime Minister and Associate Education Minister also announced an over $4.0 million funding for seven Short Term Roll Growth (STRG) classrooms at these schools: 

• Ruakākā School – two short term roll growth classrooms 
• Oruaiti School – one short term roll growth classroom 
• Te Rangi Aniwaniwa – two short term roll growth classrooms 
• Whangārei Intermediate – two short term roll growth classrooms 

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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