"It will be a year next month since this failed compensation package announcement was made. At the time it was nothing but a kneejerk reaction for losing our promised primary school in the middle of an education crisis."
Ms Lorck said Havelock North was facing huge growth and hundreds of sections would start coming on stream but National's agenda for schools was to pile on classrooms, not build new ones.
Back in April, Havelock North Primary School board of trustees chairman Phil Chandler told Hawke's Bay Today that two classes were using the school hall for lessons.
Ms Kaye said the ministry was aware of the discussion around this need for a new school, which was why the review had been bought forward.
"The ministry was looking at doing the Area Strategy in 2019 but we have brought it forward so we can start the process of collecting information now so we can get on with it and not muck around.
"We are taking a longer term view and I want to be clear now that if we need a new school then we will deliver a new school."
As part of dealing with growth pressure the eight promised classrooms would be delivered to Havelock North Primary, Lucknow and Te Mata by the end of the year, despite being announced last June.
"I acknowledged concerns around the pace of delivery of some of the new classrooms.
"This has been affected by factors including extending project scope after the initial timeline was developed, and I reassured the principals that the ministry expects all the new classrooms to be delivered by the end of this year."
Hastings mayor and National Tukituki candidate Lawrence Yule said Ms Kaye was being responsible by providing a solution in the short term as well as the long term.
"A review will provide a holistic approach to the growth pressures around primary education while adding new classrooms will provide relief for now in the short term."
Meanwhile Ms Kaye said work was also continuing towards confirming a new site for Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu.
"Last year, following an environmental evaluation, the ministry decided that the Arataki Rd site previously proposed for the kura is unsuitable for education purposes.
"A preferred new site has been identified and due diligence is being carried out. The Arataki Rd site has been transferred to LINZ for disposal, in line with the provisions of the Public Works Act 1981."
Ms Kaye said student safety and well-being was paramount, which was why the ministry sought alternative sites for the new kura.
"The Government recognises the important part that a school's physical environment plays in supporting the success of students."
Since June 2016 the ministry has announced about $5.9 million for new classrooms and $19m for school redevelopments.
Relocating and rebuilding Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu could see an additional estimated investment of about $12m, including land purchase, design and construction.
"In total, this represents an investment of up to around $37m in Hawke's Bay school infrastructure.
"We're committed to modernising and expanding schools to meet the needs of local communities."
Ms Lorck is holding a public meeting at the Havelock North community centre at 6.30pm tonight on "Where's our promised new school" with Labour's education spokesman, MP Chris Hipkins.