I’m thrilled that the Government’s Budget is delivering more classrooms for schools in the Coromandel electorate.
Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced that two new classrooms will be built at both Katikati Primary School and Paeroa College. I had an opportunity to visit the schools and to speak with the Principals about the new funding and what it means for them and their students. These classrooms will ensure students are learning in safe, warm, dry and fit-for-purpose classrooms.
This is part of a wider programme which will see the redevelopment of up to 10 schools and the delivery of up to 232 new classrooms across New Zealand. Our Government is committed to fixing the school property system that was nearing a crisis point when we came into office. We have turned this around by reducing the cost of building new classrooms through offsite manufacturing and have now reached a milestone with nearly 1400 new classrooms funded since we were elected.
This is about investing in students, backing communities, and making sure school property is fit for the future.
I also attended the Fieldays event at Mystery Creek which was a terrific showcase of the innovation that is taking place in the primary sector, which is being driven by hardworking, passionate New Zealanders.
Whether it’s in agriculture or horticulture, our region is home to so many people who are making their mark in the primary sector. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with local farmers, growers and all those connected to these industries.
Talking with the men and women who are on the ground is a great opportunity to hear about the present and future state of the sector, and it only takes a few moments with these people to understand that they passionate about what they do each and every day.
The Government recognises the importance of the primary sector. Over the last two years we’ve signed new trade deals, such as the India Free Trade Agreement, which creates more opportunities for Kiwi farmers and growers to sell their produce to the world. We’ve also removed agriculture from the ETS, disbanded He Waka Eke Noa, and we’re replacing the RMA with a new planning system to reduce costs and drive on-farm growth.
We’re committed to fixing the basics and building the future for rural New Zealand, because when our farmers and rural communities are doing well, all of New Zealand does well.
