Six new classrooms to open at Canterbury school
The finishing touches are being put on the new classrooms at Te Kura o Tuahiwi. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News
Tamariki at a North Canterbury kura (school) will be moving into new classrooms in term two.
Te Kura o Tuahiwi, which sits between Kaiapoi and Rangiora, held a blessing on the last day of term one (Friday, April 11) to mark the completion of six new classrooms to support its growing school roll.
Board of trustees presiding member Charlie Agi said it was a relief to open the new classrooms after years of planning and delays.
''Tuahiwi has come along way with the build.
''It is awesome to see the classrooms go up and the hall to follow.
''It has taken a while, but there is a process to go through.''
A new school hall is on track to open later in the year, ''which will be awesome for the community of Tuahiwi'', Mr Agi said.
''The hall is under construction and the frame is up.
''The cool thing about that for the kids will be that on a wet day they can migrate into the hall for play and to do school stuff.''
Work had been due to get under way in December 2023, but was put on hold while the Ministry of Education reviewed 352 building projects last year.
When the project was put on hold, principal Dot Singh wrote to the Ministry of Education and Education Minister Erica Stanford to plead the school's case.
It is the only kura between Christchurch and Kaikōura to offer full Māori immersion and bilingual education.
The growing school roll is now hovering around the 200 mark.
The new classrooms included four for roll growth and the replacement of two classrooms.
They were manufactured off-site.
The hall is designed to hold 250 people, meaning the kura will finally be able to hold full school assemblies, prizegivings and indoor sports.
The kura regularly supports the Marae across the road by hosting people on site before they are welcomed on to the Marae.
Last year the kura supported the Marae with the visit by the Māori Queen.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Matariki theme for gathering
Five schools from across East Otago yesterday gathered for a day full of food and activities in the spirit of Matariki. East Otago High School had guests from Hampden, Palmerston, Waikouaiti and Karitane schools on campus. East Otago High School student Arabella Hagan (left) helps Palmerston School pupils Ivy Higgins and Alisha Porter, both aged 10, arrange hokey pokey stars into the Matariki cluster at East Otago High School yesterday. PHOTOS: GERARD O'BRIEN Principal Helen Newcombe said a big aspect of Matariki was remembering the year gone by and also to gather and share food. She said yesterday was a good opportunity for the primary school pupils to have look at the campus. Waikouaiti School pupil Penny Powell, 11, sprints past Ria Heckler, 11, of Palmerston School during a game of MĀori ball game ki-o-rahi at East Otago High School yesterday. It also gave the senior students a chance to show off their leadership skills and lead activities around the school. Each East Otago student looked after a group of 10 primary school pupils during the day, playing Māori ball game ki-o-rahi, baking and making booklets about the Māori New Year. The East Otago High School kapa haka group performs at the start of Matariki-related activities at the school yesterday. Ms Newcombe said the day provided a good opportunity for teachers and students to collaborate. "There is so much we can all learn from each other," she said.
Scoop
16 hours ago
- Scoop
Historical Foxton Courthouse A Step Closer To Restoration
Press Release – Horowhenua District Council The Foxton Historical Society (FHS) and Horowhenua District Council worked together to apply to the Lotteries Heritage and Environment Fund and successfully obtained $27,500 for the work. In need of strengthening and redevelopment, the Foxton Courthouse Museum project has received funding for a feasibility study. The Foxton Historical Society (FHS) and Horowhenua District Council worked together to apply to the Lotteries Heritage and Environment Fund and successfully obtained $27,500 for the work. This funding will allow Council and the FHS to develop the feasibility study. The aim is for the study to provide the basis for applications to funders, including Lotteries, for a future upgrade of the building. FHS co-chairman Te Kenehi Teira says: 'We welcome this grant which will support a further key stage of work towards the community goal of restoring the courthouse. Horowhenua District Council's ongoing support for the project has already delivered great practical results.' The society's aim is to make the courthouse an exciting, well-supported and financially independent settler and Māori Heritage centre, as well as a base for family/whakapapa research. The site has historical importance for iwi as it is land donated by Ihakara Tukumaru, who was instrumental in the founding of Foxton, and has been designated Wāhi Tūpuna. It is the second courthouse building, constructed in 1929, and is one of the very few remaining examples of this type of building. It is also a rarity in that it retains its original courtroom configuration. Restoration and redevelopment of the courthouse will provide value beyond the Foxton community. The proposed heritage centre role for the building will produce economic benefits as a tourism attraction, and as a resource for locals and visitors alike to make or discover social connections to Te Awahou Foxton. Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden says this project is a fantastic example of Council and the community working together. 'We were really pleased to hear the application for funding was successful,' he says. 'We know how hard members of the community are working to bring this restoration to life and the ability to do a feasibility study is an important step. When the Ōtaki to North of Levin expressway is completed, making it easier for people to visit Foxton and Foxton Beach, this proposed heritage centre would give people yet another reason to enjoy their stay.' Through Better-Off Funding from Central Government, the previous work undertaken on this project includes a detailed concept plan for strengthening the building prepared by Myamoto NZ, and an interior design for the upgraded building by Essence Design is being commissioned. FHS co-chairman Jim Harper says: 'The society commends Council staff and members for the support and encouragement they are giving to this project. Once completed this proposed Te Awahou-Foxton Heritage Centre will be something that the community can be proud of.'
Scoop
17 hours ago
- Scoop
Historical Foxton Courthouse A Step Closer To Restoration
In need of strengthening and redevelopment, the Foxton Courthouse Museum project has received funding for a feasibility study. The Foxton Historical Society (FHS) and Horowhenua District Council worked together to apply to the Lotteries Heritage and Environment Fund and successfully obtained $27,500 for the work. This funding will allow Council and the FHS to develop the feasibility study. The aim is for the study to provide the basis for applications to funders, including Lotteries, for a future upgrade of the building. FHS co-chairman Te Kenehi Teira says: 'We welcome this grant which will support a further key stage of work towards the community goal of restoring the courthouse. Horowhenua District Council's ongoing support for the project has already delivered great practical results.' The society's aim is to make the courthouse an exciting, well-supported and financially independent settler and Māori Heritage centre, as well as a base for family/whakapapa research. The site has historical importance for iwi as it is land donated by Ihakara Tukumaru, who was instrumental in the founding of Foxton, and has been designated Wāhi Tūpuna. It is the second courthouse building, constructed in 1929, and is one of the very few remaining examples of this type of building. It is also a rarity in that it retains its original courtroom configuration. Restoration and redevelopment of the courthouse will provide value beyond the Foxton community. The proposed heritage centre role for the building will produce economic benefits as a tourism attraction, and as a resource for locals and visitors alike to make or discover social connections to Te Awahou Foxton. Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden says this project is a fantastic example of Council and the community working together. 'We were really pleased to hear the application for funding was successful,' he says. 'We know how hard members of the community are working to bring this restoration to life and the ability to do a feasibility study is an important step. When the Ōtaki to North of Levin expressway is completed, making it easier for people to visit Foxton and Foxton Beach, this proposed heritage centre would give people yet another reason to enjoy their stay.' Through Better-Off Funding from Central Government, the previous work undertaken on this project includes a detailed concept plan for strengthening the building prepared by Myamoto NZ, and an interior design for the upgraded building by Essence Design is being commissioned. FHS co-chairman Jim Harper says: 'The society commends Council staff and members for the support and encouragement they are giving to this project. Once completed this proposed Te Awahou-Foxton Heritage Centre will be something that the community can be proud of.'
