The 69sq m two-bedroom flat’s being built by 14 students in a new programme, TradeBase, supported by Breen Construction, Central Lakes Trust and other businesses.
Beyond giving students valuable skills that could set them up for careers in the building industry, Wakatipu High principal Oded Nathan says it’s also addressing the affordable housing crisis by providing staff accommodation.
As the granny flat’s under 70sq m, council building consent’s not required, either.
Nathan’s asking if anyone keen to help out could contact him.
He says rent payments in turn will go back to Wakatipu High School Foundation (WHSF) to support students.
With the support of WHSF and the Roost Boost Teachers Fund, those staff could then also be helped into home ownership, he adds.
Nathan says Breen Construction’s committed to another three years’ support which will see three more staff rentals being built.
Speaking to Mountain Scene, year 13 TradeBase students Morris Kan and Blake Turoa, both 17, say they’re appreciating the opportunity to have such a hands-on experience in school time.
"We’re basically like getting a step ahead almost," Morris says.
The students are split into crews of seven who work Thursdays and Fridays in turn under the supervision of Breen Construction foreman Kerry Raikes.
Raikes says the crews are doing "really, really well", and stresses they’re doing it entirely themselves.
"It’s a small minority of schools nationwide that would do anything close to this, so they’re pretty fortunate."
The programme’s also under way at Alexandra’s Dunstan High.
