Construction of a 12-teaching space expansion at Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau in Hanleys Farm was expected to start in about 12 months, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced at the school yesterday.
Accommodating a further 300 pupils, the new building would be the second of three stages in the school’s master plan, which would ultimately take its roll to 1050, Ms McNamara said.
Ms Stanford also announced the construction of six new teaching spaces at Alexandra’s Dunstan High School, where construction is also expected to start within 12 months.
The two new buildings, as well as the ministry’s purchase last year of land for a new 900-pupil primary school in Queenstown’s Ladies Mile, was a $27 million investment in the region that would "get ahead of new growth", she said.
The ministry continued to look at the best options for accommodating secondary school roll growth in the resort town, which were expanding Wakatipu High School and building a new school.
She expected to make an announcement by next year’s Budget at the latest.
Ms Stanford said she was "very confident" the ministry would receive sufficient capital funding to keep up with the Wakatipu Basin’s population growth.
"Every single Budget we’re putting more into roll growth.
"I know there’s a huge need in this region, and we’re keeping a very close eye on it."
Securing land for the primary school in Ladies Mile meant it could "hit go" on construction when it was needed.
