Latest news with #Kiwi
Scoop
10 minutes ago
- Business
- Scoop
Government Calls Time On Open-Plan Classrooms
Minister of Education The Government has put an end to building open-plan classrooms, ensuring all new classrooms are designed in a flexible way to ensure better student outcomes. 'Overwhelming feedback I've received from schools across New Zealand is open-plan classrooms aren't meeting the needs of students. While open-plan designs were originally intended to foster collaboration, they have often created challenges for schools, particularly around noise and managing student behaviour,' Education Minister Erica Stanford says. 'This Government is focused on raising achievement and closing the equity gap and an important part of our reform package is ensuring learning spaces are designed to improve student outcomes. 'In many cases, open-plan classrooms reduce flexibility, rather than enhance it. We have listened to the sector and new classrooms will no longer be open plan.' The Government has not designed and built open plan classes since being in office other than classrooms that have been specifically requested. All new classrooms will be built using standard designs that prioritise flexibility over open-plan layouts. For example, the use of glass sliding doors mean spaces can be open when classes collaborate but can also close for focused learning. This approach ensures schools have fit-for-purpose environments that support a range of teaching and learning styles. 'We are ensuring school property delivery is efficient and sustainable. We've lowered the average cost of a classroom by 28 per cent so we could deliver 30 per cent more classrooms last year compared to 2023. We're continuing to drive down costs so more Kiwi kids can access them, faster. In 2025, new classrooms cost on average $620,000 compared to $1.2 million at the end of 2023.' Wellington is the latest region to benefit from this, with a $25 million targeted investment into areas experiencing population growth. The schools receiving new classrooms are: Newlands Intermediate – 10 classrooms Aotea College – 16 classrooms 'Aotea College is a prime example where existing open-plan classrooms did not support learning outcomes. The lack of functionality of the open design meant spaces could not be shared or multipurpose due to disruption and noise. This investment will deliver new, standard teaching spaces that better meet the needs of both students and staff. 'Delivering these classrooms through repeatable designs and offsite-manufactured buildings also ensures we are achieving maximum value for money. Planning is already underway for these projects, with construction expected to begin within the next 12 months,' Ms Stanford says.
Otago Daily Times
28 minutes ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Erica Stanford pulls pin on open-plan classrooms
Education Minister Erica Stanford. Photo: RNZ The government will end the construction of open-plan classrooms in favour of a new "flexible" design. Education Minister Erica Stanford said open-plan designs were supposed to foster collaboration but created challenges around noise and managing student behaviour. "Overwhelming feedback I've received from schools across New Zealand is open-plan classrooms aren't meeting the needs of students," Stanford said. "This government is focused on raising achievement and closing the equity gap and an important part of our reform package is ensuring learning spaces are designed to improve student outcomes." New classrooms will be built using standard designs that prioritise flexibility, like the use of glass sliding doors that can open a class when it is time to collaborate and close it for focused learning. Shirley Boys' High School in Christchurch is spending $800,000 to convert their open plan classrooms, built in 2019, into single-cell rooms because to cut down on distractions. "In many cases, open-plan classrooms reduce flexibility, rather than enhance it. We have listened to the sector and new classrooms will no longer be open plan," Stanford said. She said the average cost of a classroom was coming down. "We've lowered the average cost of a classroom by 28 percent so we could deliver 30 percent more classrooms last year compared to 2023. We're continuing to drive down costs so more Kiwi kids can access them, faster. "In 2025, new classrooms cost on average $620,000 compared to $1.2 million at the end of 2023," Stanford said. The Wellington region will get $25 million of targeted investment in areas experiencing population growth. Newlands Intermediate will get 10 new classrooms, while Aotea College will get 16. Stanford said Aotea College was a prime example of where open-plan classrooms did not work. "The lack of functionality of the open design meant spaces could not be shared or multi-purpose due to disruption and noise. This investment will deliver new, standard teaching spaces that better meet the needs of both students and staff." Planning was already under way for these projects, with construction expected to begin within the next 12 months, Stanford said.
RNZ News
41 minutes ago
- General
- RNZ News
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 16th July 2025
conservation education 7 minutes ago In today's episode, the Waikato District Council is investigating a road that locals call the "rollercoaster" after a woman and two children were killed in a crash on Tuesday; New Zealanders are once again among TV's most famous, with two nominations in the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards - television's top honour; The government has put a stop to open plan classrooms - after more than a year of signalling it wasn't interested in this style of build; And A pair of Kiwi singing in the night led to confirmation the Kiwi pukupuku is living in the bush on the West Coast.
Scoop
an hour ago
- Business
- Scoop
ACT Welcomes Labour Support For Supermarket Fast-Track
ACT Leader David Seymour is welcoming Labour's indication of support for ACT's proposed supermarket fast-track process. Last night on Three News, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins, when asked about the proposal, said he's 'very open to that.' 'The supermarket fast-track would deliver more competition and lower prices for Kiwis at the checkout. It's great to see Labour putting politics aside to back ACT's proposal to lower the cost of living,' says Mr Seymour. 'Right now it takes years to get planning and consenting approvals for new supermarkets. That blocks competition and protects the duopoly. 'This one-stop shop would streamline rezoning, consenting, and investment approvals, making it easier and faster to build new supermarkets at scale. This process should take months, rather than years as a currently does. 'More competition means lower prices and better choice for Kiwi families. Even the threat of new entrants forces incumbents to sharpen their prices. 'ACT will work with any party to remove barriers, welcome investment, and make groceries more affordable for all New Zealanders.'
Scoop
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Second Auckland Show Added For Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire As Kiwis Prioritise ‘Joy Spending'
Press Release – Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire organisers have added a second show at Eden Park, Auckland on Sunday, 5 October, following overwhelming demand from thousands of multi-generational New Zealand fans. Promoter TEG today confirmed that the Auckland 4 October event has officially sold the most tickets for a single show in the history of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, which has toured across North America, Europe and Australia for the past seven years. Priced just below $50 for general admission tickets, the show is proving to be a bright spot for families seeking affordable, high-value entertainment. The entertainment company believes the ticket demand reflects an appetite for joy spending — experiences that offer meaningful family connection, nostalgia, and escape. David Benge, TEG Content Partnerships Manager says, 'The response from Aotearoa has blown us away — Auckland is now our biggest-selling show anywhere in the world. Kiwi families are proving that they will show up in massive numbers when the entertainment on offer ticks that perfect combination of boxes, fun, whānau and excitement. We couldn't be more thrilled to add a second and final Auckland show to meet the overwhelming demand.' Nick Sautner, CEO of Eden Park, says, 'We're delighted that Auckland has officially sold the most tickets for a single show in the history of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live — and Eden Park's capacity and infrastructure have played a key role in making that possible. 'This is the first time a show of this kind has ever been staged in Eden Park's 125-year history, and it reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering diverse, world-class entertainment for fans of all ages. Hot Wheels is an iconic brand that has fuelled imaginations for generations, and this event reinforces Eden Park's reputation as a truly multi-purpose venue that offers something for everyone.' He adds, 'Despite current economic challenges, Aucklanders are clearly prioritising quality family entertainment. Hot Wheels has a unique cross-generational appeal — parents and even grandparents are reliving their childhoods while watching their kids light up. It's exactly the kind of energy and joy the city needs right now.' Based on the world's best-selling toy [1], Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire features life-size versions of iconic Hot Wheels toys — including Bigfoot, Bone Shaker, Tiger Shark, and Mega Wrex — performing jaw-dropping stunts, fiery wheelies, and gravity-defying jumps, all under the glow of stadium lights. For die-hard fans, the Pre-Show Party and Legends Backstage VIP Experience offer the chance to meet drivers, explore the arena floor, and get up close to the trucks. Following the sell-out of the original Dunedin date, a second Forsyth Barr Stadium show was also added to the line-up earlier this year, making the New Zealand tour one of the fastest-growing in Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live history. The tour is presented by The Warehouse where one Hot Wheels car sells every 20 seconds. NEW AUCKLAND SHOW ON SALE FROM TODAY. General admission from just $45.00 (+ fees) Family passes and VIP upgrades available Eden Park – New Show: Sunday 5 October Visit for tickets and info. 2025 NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES: Dunedin – Forsyth Barr Stadium Saturday 20 September (SOLD OUT) Sunday 21 September (NEW SHOW) Wellington – Sky Stadium Saturday 27 September Auckland – Eden Park Saturday 4 October Sunday 5 October (NEW SHOW) Content Sourced from Original url
