"We encountered issues of this nature with Havelock North Primary, which extended the
planned delivery timeline from July to October."
She said the Ministry needed more time to meet fire safety requirements, resulting in more scoping work, and to incorporate design changes requested by the school.
"The October delivery timeline is still significantly faster than a traditional design
and build project, and the school has not had to meet additional costs."
She added that the Ministry had maintained close contact with the school and sought to accommodate the school's wishes where possible to ensure the best outcome.
"We have confirmed that the school had sufficient alternate accommodation in place for the duration of the project, and apologised and explained the delays related to the fire safety issue."
As far as the Arataki Motor Camp site that had been proposed as the site for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tāpere o Takitimu, she said due to the odour emissions from Te Mata Mushrooms this was no longer considered suitable for educational facilities.
As such, the formal disposal process would get underway later this year.
In the meantime, a preferred site had been identified for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tāpere o Takitimu, after close discussion with the kura, council and other stakeholders.
"Negotiations are currently underway and we expect to announce the new location within the next few weeks."
Labour Tukituki candidate Anna Lorck said that while she welcomed the kura being found a new site in Hastings, the Arataki land needed to retain its education status.
"We must move now and put a hold on this land so it is not disposed of until there has been full consultation with the local community."
She said a complete review of the education landscape was needed.
"Havelock North has been promised a primary school - trucking these classrooms on is a bandaid, not the answer - we need to get on with a new school for Havelock North and Hastings East's growing demand."
# Earlier this week Hawke's Bay Today reported online that Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye's office did not respond to questions before deadline. In fact, Nikki Kaye's office referred the paper to the Ministry of Education.