Lizard News JUNE 2024
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Talks wanted after new schools paused P
By Matthew Farrell arents, principals, and politicians are disappointed and disbelieving after the Ministry of Education paused long-standing plans for new schools in Ōmokoroa. The move follows affordability reviews by the National-led government of spending plans made by the previous Labour administration across much of the public sector. In March 2023, construction was announced from “early 2024” of secondary and primary schools on the corner of Prole Road. The then Minister of Education, Tauranga-based list MP Hon Jan Tinetti, said Ōmokoroa Primary would provide 350 places for Years 1-6, with capacity to expand to 550. Ōmokoroa Secondary would provide 800 places for Years 7-13, with capacity to expand to 1200. Unconfirmed rumours of postponement have since swirled. The news was delivered by the Ministry via local primary schools on Wednesday 22nd May. Western Bay Mayor James Denyer tells Lizard News he’ll write to the Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, seeking a meeting. “The delay in construction is deeply disappointing. It fails to recognise the ongoing and long-planned growth of the peninsula as a substantial new town in its own right. “Ōmokoroa shouldn’t be regarded as merely feeding the Ōtūmoetai catchment. A school is a fundamental part of community placemaking. It should be at the heart of the community, not an arduous commute away and all but inaccessible for children to walk or cycle to. “The basis on which this decision was made was flawed. The Crown, as our SmartGrowth partner, has consistently encouraged and agreed to Ōmokoroa being a priority growth area. We need better joined-up thinking on this matter,” says Mayor James. Ōmokoroa Point School principal Sandra Portegys isn’t pulling any punches and describes the two proposed schools as cancelled. “I am disappointed, and I am concerned existing schools may not be able to cater for the growing population. I look forward to working with the Ministry to hear their projections for our school roll in the coming years and how they will support us so we can continue to provide an excellent education while under increased roll growth pressures,” says Sandra. Estimates in the Ministry’s own National Education Growth Plan projected the need for a truly local secondary school by the end of the decade before locals petitioned Parliament and presented to a Select Committee in February 2019 to have plans brought forward. Petitioner Jo Russell (Linthwaite) is baffled that they
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer says the decision to postpone the schools here is flawed thinking. PHOTO: Matthew Farrell.
haven’t considered only building the college buildings and leaving the primary school sections until later. “College students are more affected than primary students. If a new college included Years 7 and 8, this would free up space at the local primary schools. Not many would need to travel very far with that simple plan. Everyone could remain local. I hope
they will see sense very soon,” says Jo. Local man Matt Baker has already written to the Ministry, saying a two- to four-hour commute to school has an unacceptable impact on sleep, learning, and exercise. “This high school is urgently needed. Ōmokoroa is Continued on page 18