Nearly all schools damaged by cyclone back up running

Nearly all the more than 400 schools and kura damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle are back up and running.

Education Minister Jan Tinetti said it was a remarkable achievement which could be put down to the tireless efforts of local communities.

"The tumuaki of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Ngā Taonga Tuhuru Ki Tokomaru evacuated her kura to a local marae. The acting principal of Patoka School navigated a river to get to her school and then organised with a construction company and local Ministry of Education staff to get a generator, and an electrician, flown in by helicopter," Tinetti said.

"The tumuaki of St Joseph's Māori Girls College school in Napier accommodated young women from Hukarere Girls along with 500 other evacuees. The principal of Puketapu School helped organise for children to cross a river by boat and then to catch a bus to school," she said.

"Businesses, suppliers and vocational students organised by the Ministry of Social Development have also made a tremendous contribution to getting our schools and services up and running again, and by supporting the delivery of food, power and shelter to those who needed them.

Speaking at Puketapu School in Napier today, Tinetti said the government would repair and rebuild damaged education infrastructure.

Six schools in Hawke's Bay, Tai Rāwhiti and Wairarapa are still too damaged to reopen. Their students are being taught in other schools, online or in alternative locations.

Almost 38,000 meals were delivered to schools in the aftermath of the cyclone.

This week, the government also announced tertiary students will still be able to receive the cost of living component of student loans while delivery of their courses is interrupted by the cyclone.

But damaged roads were still having an impact, forcing one popular Tai Rāwhiti education programme to be put on hold, and cutting off some Coromandel students from Whangamatā Area School.