But as his school approaches capacity, Oded Nathan said he was keen to learn about timelines for the second school and when expansion of the present school would occur.
In last Thursday’s Budget, the government announced $309.6 million in capital spending for priority new school projects, land acquisition, and adding additional capacity in English-medium and kaupapa Māori schools and learning support.
The Budget package included the redevelopment of up to 10 schools, the construction of up to 232 new classrooms and ‘‘the acquisition of land for future school sites in high-growth areas such as Queenstown’’, a statement from Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop on Budget day said.
In a Facebook post, Education Minister Erica Stanford later acknowledged Southland MP Joseph Mooney’s advocacy on the matter.
Ms Stanford first visited Wakatipu High just three weeks before the Budget, where Mr Nathan and others pressed her on the urgent need for a new school.
The timing of the visit was ‘‘probably not a coincidence’’, Mr Mooney said.
Mr Nathan said the Queenstown community was growing and would continue to grow.
‘‘It’s a beautiful place to live, and having that provision for secondary education is fundamental to the growth that is occurring here.
‘‘We need to have an outstanding education for our young people, and so having the potential for a new school that hopefully will occur is very exciting news for the community.’’
Mr Nathan said he was keen to learn more about timelines and when expansion of the current site would occur.
With the school only about 100 students off its 1625 roll capacity, he has said relocatable classrooms would need to be in place by 2028 and, to avoid spilling on to sports fields, a new school or campus was needed by 2032.
‘‘I think the reality is if we continue to grow at the rate we’re growing, we’re going to need at least two schools, if not three, to service the secondary needs of the basin.’’
Conversations suggested the town’s second high school was likely to be in the Ladies Mile area and a third in the Hanley’s Farm/Jacks Point area, he said. — Philip Chandler
