Integrated school to move

KERI MOLLOY

CELEBRATION Christian Trust is applying for building consent for a new school and assembly hall in Waipapa Rd.

Resource consent was granted earlier this year, allowing the purchase agreement of the two-acre site to be finalised with Kerikeri Baptist Church.

Trust chairman Mike Shaw says the trust is simply relocating an existing school to a new site.

The development of a state school in Waipapa Rd had been on the cards but the Celebration Trust put a case to the ministry seeking government funding for its project instead.

A government decision to delay building a new school at Waipapa for at least four years came as a disappointment to Far North district councillor Ann Court and others who had worked hard to achieve government commitment for a new state school, after concerns about overcrowding at Riverview School and future capacity issues.

The proprietors of Kerikeri Christian School had lobbied against the scheduled construction of a new state school in Kerikeri, saying it would be better for the Education Ministry to put capital into existing schools.

"The proposed state school on Waipapa Rd will increase the options available to parents and students. I had questioned the demographic data in relation to the allocation of development capital, but the board is not opposed to the new state school," Mr Shaw says.

"I still believe that the decision not to proceed with the establishment of the new state primary school in Waipapa was the wrong call at the time," Ms Court says.

The Ministry of Education bought four-hectares at 334 Waipapa Rd for a new state primary school. It has contributed funding towards the road widening and footpath construction currently under way.

"When we lost the funding for the new state school the reason given was that our population had declined, school rolls were in free fall and the Crown had other more pressing needs for the money but that they would review the situation regularly," she says.

"This money was reallocated to a school in Kaitaia for the construction of a new gymnasium and to a land purchase for a new school in Waikanae. Despite a plea to our MPs for the monies to remain as part of the Crown's economic stimulus package, this fell to deaf ears.

"I even went to Wellington to meet Northland MP John Carter to ask for his intervention – he listened but was ultimately unwilling to influence the Crown's position. He explained that the Crown had an obligation to get the best bang for its bucks and this didn't include us at this time."

Mr Shaw has been honest about his project, she says.

"He wanted the ministry to fund his new school and he was concerned that there wasn't enough money in the budget for both. This was his motivation behind his objection – all is fair in love and politics."

She says she accepts that the Christian school had to move from its current site and their need was urgent.

"So I'm not at all unhappy for them. Any economic package that provides employment and opportunity at this time for our community is to be welcomed.

"I know that ultimately the recession will end, families that have had to move for work will return, new families will establish and the new state school will be built. In fact I am advised that Riverview's roll has increased significantly," Ms Court says.

"All schools in the area enable the social, economical and cultural wellbeing of the people and community of Kerikeri and Waipapa. It is a positive thing. The trust's new site will see a school grow that increases that depth and education choice," Mr Shaw says.

- Bay Chronicle