Parata HekiaHon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Our Government's social investment approach is delivering for New Zealanders and that is apparent in all measures across the social sector. That of course is made possible by the very prudent and very effective and conservative management of our economy. It beggars belief that a previous speaker in this House does not believe the surplus as if it is a matter of faith rather than fact. What the Minister of Finance has been able to deliver to this country through his effective management is a surplus and that is after several years of pretty tough challenges during which we have remained consistent about our focus on ensuring that the most vulnerable New Zealanders the New Zealanders most dependent on a Government get the best support possible so that they can live independent lives. My colleagues across the social spectrum have been doing work in their own particular areas that is showing results because again this Government does not shy away from being accountable. We are transparent in reporting on what the Government is doing and how effective it is being. That is how we know where we can do better. I want to talk about the education portfolio in particular about education infrastructure. The property portfolio has a replacement value of $23.5 billion. It is a huge asset to the Government and it requires that we manage it well and that we invest across the country to support modern learning environments for our young people in the regions as well as in the main cities. In Budget 2016 we provided an incredible amount of funding—$882.5 million over the next 4 years—so that we can continue building school infrastructure that supports our 21st century vision. This Government knows that we are already 17 years into the 21st century and that we have to constantly revise what we are doing and deliver. This latest investment will provide nine new schools: Kumeu Primary Scott Point Primary Flat Bush South East Primary Ormiston Junior College Hingaia South Primary in Auckland Sylvester Primary in Hamilton Haeata Community Campus and Rolleston College in Christchurch and Pyes Pā in Tauranga. In addition 480 roll-growth classrooms are being built around the country. This work is possible because of the magnificent work that my colleague the Hon Nikki Kaye has done in this portfolio. For the first time ever—ever—a Government now has condition assessments of every school property across the country. That means that we are truly able to say This is where the priority lies." and in doing that be able to invest as I have said not just in the main centres but across regions as well. This afternoon in the House I have already mentioned the significant investment in Canterbury but in Taranaki and Whanganui around $300—$3 million. Whoops I had better be careful what I am saying. Around $3 million has been invested in that region. In Wellington—$4 million. That is 14 new classrooms to be built across the region. In Nelson and Marlborough a million dollars will be invested to expand capacity at Motueka High School and that of course is in addition to the brand new build and co-location of Marlborough Girls' College and Marlborough Boys' College. In Southland and Otago around $26.4 million will be invested. This includes Wakatipu High School having $25 million to increase their roll places and $350000 at Donovan Primary School. I could go on and on and I hear members yelling and thumping their desks saying "Please go on and on and on." But I know that there are others at least on this side of the House who have more to offer to the general debate. But the fact is that this Government has put almost $5 billion into infrastructure.Hon Members: How much?Hon HEKIA PARATA: Yes I know—$5 billion into infrastructure. That is for school property but also for information communication and technology. By the end of this year just over 90 percent of all schools will be connected and that means that they can access 24/7 high-quality high-speed data to ensure that our young people are the most digitally fluent in the world. That is what this Government is doing in education."