8. Question No. 8—EducationJAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 8—Education8. JAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What actions is the Government taking to deliver classrooms to meet student population growth in the regions?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Over the last few months the Government has announced over $350 million of investment in new schools and classrooms to accommodate 11560 students as part of the release of the National Education Growth Plan. We're spending $1.2 billion in funding overall that was allocated as part of this year's Budget as part of the roll-out of the growth plan—the largest investment in school property made by a New Zealand Government. The funding and the planning for student growth to 2030 gives schools and their communities certainty around managing growth and it provides an economic boost by creating new building projects in the construction industry. Jan Tinetti: What steps is he taking to address school roll growth in Tauranga Bay of Plenty Taranaki Manawatū and Whanganui? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: More good news. Last week the Government announced a new school in Tauranga and 50 new classrooms in the Bay of Plenty Taranaki Manawatū and Whanganui. These new classrooms provide space for an additional 1300 students in these regions. This is all part of the growth plans to 2030 for those regions that were publicly released and amount to a $45 million investment in those areas. We're taking this student growth seriously and we're delivering this through the first ever National Education Growth Plan. Jan Tinetti: How many classrooms will be going into each region as a result of last week's announcement? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Brookfield School in Tauranga will be relocated and expanded to provide for an additional 325 students 35 classrooms across the Bay of Plenty in Waiariki will provide for 700 additional students in Taranaki five schools are getting 10 new classrooms for 212 additional students and in the Manawatū-Whanganui three schools are getting five new classrooms for 106 extra students. I understand the excitement of the electorate members on the other side of the House who never saw this kind of investment under their Government.Mark Patterson: What action is the Government taking to deliver classrooms for Otago and Southland? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Oh just a few days ago—on Friday—the Government also announced a new school and new classrooms at five schools to cater for 840 additional students in Southland and Otago. This was part of the release of the growth plan for that region to 2030 supported by an additional $27 million investment so that we can get things moving quickly to accommodate that growth. Mark Patterson: Which schools will benefit from the new classrooms for Otago and Southland?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm very pleased to say that Shotover Primary School—where I visited on Friday—will get six new classrooms to cater for an additional 132 students Alexandra School will get four new classrooms to cater for another 88 students Hāwea Flat School in Wānaka is receiving four new classrooms for an additional 88 students Garston School will get three new classrooms for an additional 66 students and Cromwell Primary School will get three new classrooms for another 66 students as well of course as the $17 million to build a brand new primary school in the Wakatipu Basin to cater for 400 additional students.