An east Auckland residents group is pleased to hear construction on a new school in its rapidly growing local community is set to begin later this year.
The Ministry of Education announced in late 2023 it had acquired a three-hectare site at 121 Murphys Road, Flat Bush, for a future primary school.
A notice of requirement document prepared by Forme Planning for the Minister of Education on the project states it will feature “53 new teaching spaces, a multi-purpose space, as well as hard courts, outdoor playing areas, sports fields, car parking, pick-up and drop-off areas and associated landscaping, access and services”.
The Flat Bush Ratepayers and Residents Association has been advocating for its local community to get the infrastructure it needs, such as schools, to keep pace with its growing population.
Association president Lloyd Ratnaraja says “the commitment from the Government to build this school aligns well with the population growth”.
“It’s important the school is built with a future-focused approach to ensure it can accommodate population growth over the next 10 years, rather than being a quick fix for today.”
Education Minister Erica Stanford says construction on the new primary school will begin later this year and it’s scheduled to open in 2026.
It’s part of Budget 2024’s $456 million injection into school property growth to ease pressure in Auckland’s school system, she says.
“The school will be initially known as Flat Bush Southwest Primary School and will have a roll of 600 students.
“This will be one of three brand new schools delivered through this year’s Budget.
“The overall investment is supporting the expansion of the School Property Portfolio and delivering up to 8,000 student places.”
Stanford says Flat Bush is experiencing significant residential growth and establishing the new school will alleviate pressure on existing local schools.
It will also give parents more options when considering what’s best for their child’s education.
“We are committed to investing in our schools so our students can thrive.”
The site of the new school in Flat Bush is in Takanini MP Rima Nakhle’s electorate.
“I’ve been door-knocking in that area for a few years and it’s been heavily on my mind,” she says.
“I remember during the campaign speaking to Erica [Stanford] about it and she said, ‘look Rima, we don’t know full extent of the books and we can’t promise anything’, but hearing this I felt ecstatic. It’s very much needed.”
Nakhle says her electorate and Flat Bush are among the fastest growing communities in the country and local parents will be relieved to hear plans for the new school are progressing.
“I’ve heard their concerns while I’ve been door-knocking. Also, for other schools in the area, this gives some certainty and relief.”
The Ministry of Education will call for nominations for an establishment board for the school.
Once appointed, it will have responsibility for appointing a foundation principal, determining school policy and governance practices, as well as ensuring the school reflects the needs and aspirations of the local community.
