New kura kaupapa planned for Bay

Minister of Education Hekia Parata

Hastings parents will soon have more choice in where to send their children for a Maori language education.

Minister of Education Hekia Parata announced a plan to build a new kura kaupapa in Hastings.

After assessing the needs of the various regions, Hawke's Bay was deemed a viable option for the new project.

"The numbers of students already showing interest is an indication of the support for Maori language education in the city and surrounding areas," Ms Parata said.

"This Government has invested the most money ever in education with a further $244 million to be invested in building seven new schools, expanding four existing schools, and adding another 241 classrooms across the country," she said.

This investment is in addition to the $1.1 billion for Christchurch schools and the $450 million for business as usual in the school property portfolio.

"Together these commitments ensure that schools are increasingly future-proofed so that Kiwi kids can learn in modern learning environments fit for our 21st century students," Ms Parata said.

The Government has also committed $359 million for investing in educational success by lifting the quality of teaching and leadership in schools.

"As part of that investment I was pleased to announce last week a further 129 schools forming 18 new communities of schools.

"This makes just over 220 schools and 85,000 students participating."

This is in addition to the more than $700 million already being invested providing schools with ultra-fast broadband.

"We are right on track ..." Ms Parata said.

"We've seen kids starting earlier, staying longer and leaving better qualified in the past six years."

Ms Parata is determined that all kids should get the best education.

Prime Minister John Key says we should expect the first of these kura to open in 2017.