The government is putting $14 million into the redevelopment of an Auckland primary school that has had years of chronic problems with mould and asbestos.
Buildings at Clayton Park School in Manurewa were in such a bad state they were making staff and pupils sick.
A year ago, the school's principal Paul Wright said thousands of dollars were being spent on testing air to make the case for new classrooms to be funded by the Education Ministry.
He said the school had endured at least 10 years of unhealthy conditions.
At that time, the ministry provided six temporary classrooms as an interim solution.
But today Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye said $14.5 million had been approved for what she described as one of the most complex school redevelopments.
Construction is due to start later this year.