11. Question No. 11—EducationKATIE NIMON (National—Napier) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 11—Education11. KATIE NIMON (National—Napier) to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made about school property?Hon ERICA STANFORD (Minister of Education): Yesterday I announced a ministerial inquiry into the Ministry of Education's school property function. This review will address the challenges the Ministry of Education face in not being able to deliver the current pipeline of school infrastructure projects—in particular the failure to sufficiently implement a value-for-money approach schools having expectations beyond what could be delivered on and significant cost escalations. It is important to understand why these challenges have emerged in recent years to ensure we can deliver the school property our children deserve. I want to ensure that the school property portfolio is meeting the core infrastructure needs of schools.Katie Nimon: Why is this inquiry needed?Hon ERICA STANFORD: The coalition Government has inherited a pipeline of projects that were unable to be delivered on. In September 2023 the Ministry of Education began a review of property projects. In January I was informed that up to 350 projects needed to be reviewed for cost-effectiveness. By their own admission the ministry have advised me that these challenges are due to building-cost increases but also due to scope creep and over-reliance on bespoke designs and over-engineering add-ons like extensive landscaping and infrastructure. A ministerial inquiry will consider how we can best achieve a portfolio that is managed efficiently and effectively and delivers cost-effective learning spaces that are functional warm dry and fit for purpose.Katie Nimon: What has she heard from principals since she announced the inquiry?Hon ERICA STANFORD: I have been talking with principals about their property concerns since the day I became the Minister. Since this announcement I have already received reports that principals are welcoming this inquiry. On RNZ this morning Vaughan Couillault of the Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand—SPANZ—said that principals are really pleased that the Minister has listened to the sector. I also received communication from a school board member saying I would like to applaud the Minister for undertaking the Ministry of Education property review. It is badly needed and overdue."Hon Jan Tinetti: Will the inquiry into school property she announced yesterday look at the cuts the previous National Government made into school property and the subsequent impact on school property assets; if not why not?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Well I think it's brave of that member to ask a question given that this morning on air she said that all of the properties in her portfolio when she was the Minister were funded and factored into the Budget. Just mere hours later her leader had to correct her and say that he would not guarantee absolutely every single one of them. He would probably have also asked his officials to rescope the work.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Point of order. Mr Speaker we waited till the end in the hope that there would be any attempt to address the question. That was certainly responded to but not addressed.SPEAKER: Well you've also got to accept that that was a politically motivated question—and somewhat loaded—and therefore there's a high degree of leniency in the way it's answered.Katie Nimon: What can schools expect while the inquiry is under way?Hon ERICA STANFORD: I received an email from a principal today whose build was supposed to start in July last year and has been delayed. She stated "All we want in this community is good clear communication and a pathway forward." I have made it clear to the Ministry of Education my expectation for schools is to receive timely and accurate information about their projects in the coming weeks. While the inquiry is under way I will be working with the ministry to find solutions for schools facing critical pressures in roll growth condition and compliance. I want to be clear that school property is a priority for this Government and our inquiry will ensure that we deliver cost-effective warm dry classrooms to as many schools as possible.Hon Jan Tinetti: Will she guarantee no cuts to school property capital expenditure?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Yes."