Taita College's magic moment: Government pledges $32 million to redevelopment

Thursday, 21 May 2020

Taita College head students Penina Sitagata, 17 and William Bower, 17 with principal Karen Morgan, after it was announced the school would be given $32 million for redevelopment.

Shortly after Chris Hipkins became the education minister, he was summoned to the principal of Taita College's office to discuss the school's leaky roofs and 40-year-old buildings.

At that stage, principal Karen Morgan pitched a ballpark figure of $10 million to bring the Lower Hutt school's buildings up to scratch.

So yesterday, when the minister announced the government was giving the school $32m to redevelop, it took a moment to sink in.

Murmurs went through the gathered students, then cheers, and it was through tears that Morgan thanked the minister.

Students welcoming the minister to their school, in preparation for the funding announcement.

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'We have so much talent, and so many capable students in this school, so now to be able to provide a physically great learning environment, the best physical learning space they can have, is just a magic moment,' she told Stuff.

The redevelopment priorities would be governed by the condition of the buildings, and would be made in consultation with the school's students and community.

'We've got to think here of our beautiful demographic, which is 50 per cent Māori and 35 per cent Pasifika, and that culture and the soul of Taita must be retained, even with new buildings and the refurbishment, whatever that looks like.'

Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said physical space was an important aspect in learning.

The funding came less than a week after students across New Zealand returned to school after lockdown.

'It was just incredible for us to come back and unite as a school, but to start that new normal under alert level 2 with that incredible news, it is really fabulous.'

Hipkins said tackling the school's leaking roofs would be the first phase of development.

The lockdown had reminded him of the importance of physical space when it came to learning.

'So much is associated with that physical environment, it's about bringing people together, but it also has a big impact on what you learn,' he told students.

'We've not had a great track record of maintaining really nice positive learning environments in New Zealand over the past 30 to 40 years.'

The money would give the school the opportunity to create the learning spaces it wanted, either by refurbishing existing space or new buildings.

He told senior students that while they may not see new buildings come to fruition, they would impact the learning experience of future learners at the college.

The funding serves a dual benefit of providing jobs for the local community.

“Projects like what we’re announcing at Taita College today are an important part of kick-starting the economy.'

It would likely be some time before spades hit the ground, but Hipkins said he understood arrangements were already being made with local suppliers.

“The Ministry of Education will work with the school to get things moving as quickly as possible.”

Further announcements in school property investments are expected in the coming months.