$100M Freed by Efficiencies to Build Classrooms in Rapidly Growing Schools

“We’re building school property better so more schools, communities and children benefit sooner,” said Minister Stanford.

In a significant win for New Zealand’s education infrastructure, the Government has announced that $100 million has been freed up through a new efficiency-driven approach to school property investment. This funding will now be reinvested to build more classrooms, a new school, and specialised learning support spaces—benefiting children, teachers, and communities across the country.

The announcement was made by Education Minister Erica Stanford, who highlighted the Government’s relentless focus on cost-efficiency, innovation, and standardised design in delivering school infrastructure.

“We’re building school property better so more schools, communities and children benefit sooner,” said Minister Stanford. “We’ve halved the cost of delivering new classrooms from $1.2 million to $620,000 by focusing on offsite manufacturing, modular classrooms, repeatable designs, and simple, standard solutions.”

Smarter Building Delivers Bigger Impact

The Ministry of Education’s adoption of offsite manufacturing and modular construction techniques has radically cut costs and timelines. These prefabricated and repeatable designs have made it possible to stretch the budget further and deliver more classrooms where they are urgently needed, particularly in fast-growing communities.

As a result of these savings, the Government will now fund:

• 82 new general classrooms across the country

• Multiple specialised learning support classrooms

• Refurbishment of a large special education unit

• A brand-new primary school in Pokēno

Schools Receiving New Classrooms

Here’s a breakdown of the 82 new classrooms being rolled out:

• Ashburton Netherby School – 2 classrooms

• Cashmere High School – 14 classrooms

• Cosgrove School – 4 classrooms

• Kerikeri High School – 4 classrooms

• Kerikeri Primary School – 4 classrooms

• Papakura Intermediate – 6 classrooms

• Papatoetoe High School – 12 classrooms

• Shirley Primary School – 2 classrooms

• Warkworth School – 6 classrooms

• Whangaparāoa College – 6 classrooms

• Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe – 4 classrooms

• Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Taumarunui – 4 classrooms

• Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Hiringa – 4 classrooms

These schools were selected based on enrolment pressures and growth forecasts, with the goal of ensuring that all students learn in warm, dry, modern classrooms.

Expanded Learning Support Capacity

Specialised support is also being expanded with funding for satellite classrooms and facilities designed for learners with additional needs:

• Cambridge Middle School – 1 satellite classroom for Northern Health School

• Kimi Ora Specialist School – 8 satellite classrooms across four locations:

  • 2 at Fergusson Intermediate

  • 2 at Te Aro School

  • 2 at Wilford School

  • 2 at a secondary school in the Hutt Valley

• Mt Richmond School – refurbishment to accommodate 45 students

• Oromahoe School – 1 satellite classroom for Blomfield Specialist School

These enhancements reflect the Government’s commitment to inclusive education and supporting diverse learners with environments tailored to their needs.

New School in Pokēno

In addition to new classrooms, funding has been ring-fenced to build a new Year 1–8 primary school in Pokēno, one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions. The new school will help ease pressure on existing facilities in the area and is a strategic investment to meet long-term population growth.

Broader Investment Since Budget 2025

The reinvestment comes on top of the $713 million already allocated for school infrastructure upgrades in Budget 2025, which includes:

• $300 million to repair and upgrade 33 existing schools

• $255 million for internal and external improvements at 934 small, rural, and isolated schools

• $100 million over five years for urgent and essential infrastructure needs

• $58 million for ongoing maintenance at all state and state-integrated schools

This comprehensive investment plan aims to ensure that all 2,500 state and state-integrated schools benefit from improved facilities, regardless of size or location.

Driving Efficiency, Maximising Impact

Minister Stanford concluded by reiterating the Government’s commitment to improving outcomes for students by making smarter infrastructure investments.

“Our drive for efficiency and good value for money is delivering more classrooms across the country. We will continue to deliver school infrastructure better, and we’re backing our teachers and learners with the support they need to succeed.”

The efficiency-focused approach marks a shift from traditional construction models to modern, scalable, and value-driven delivery, setting a precedent for future infrastructure programmes in the education sector.