Govt to spend $164m on new and upgraded classrooms

The government is investing $164 million towards the building of new classrooms and other school upgrades.

North Island schools will be allocated $132m.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins said about 7500 students will benefit from the investment and it would help create and sustain more than 3000 jobs.

"The Ministry of Education and schools will be engaging with local builders, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, and electricians, who will in turn need to buy products and supplies from local stores," he said.

Hipkins made the announcement at Greytown School in Wairarapa, one of the schools in the package.

"I am pleased to announce $6 million of funding to replace a 100-year-old five-classroom block, which has severely deteriorated over time, and four new classrooms for the school's growing roll," he said.

"I know the school and the wider community has been waiting for this for a long time."

South Island allocations of $32m will be announced tomorrow.

Projects announced today are part of the government's National Education Growth Plan and the National School Redevelopment Programme.

The projects include:

• $4.5 million for roll growth classrooms at two Tai Tokerau schools
• More than $10 million to expand Ormiston Primary School (250 additional student places)
• More than $10 million to expand Kauri Flats School (350 additional student places)
• $9 million to redevelop and expand Browns Bay School (286 upgraded or additional student places)
• $30 million for 91 short term roll growth classrooms in Auckland
• $4 million for roll growth classrooms at two Waikato schools
• More than $30 million for three new schools and expansions in the Bay of Plenty for more than additional 1,000 students
• $2.5 million for roll growth classrooms at two Gisborne schools
• $1 million for two roll growth classrooms at Te Horo School in Otaki
• $25 million for 77 short term roll growth classrooms at 24 schools in the North Island (excluding Auckland).