Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford have announced the government will invest $413 million to improve school infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Of the $413m package $58m of it is new funding.<\/p>\n
The pair are speaking to media at Albany Jr High School at 3pm on Monday, shortly after the announcement was made.<\/p>\n
Stanford said $413m of projects was being accelerated to allow schools to do significant maintenance over the Summer holidays and support rural and isolated schools to upgrade infrastructure.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nEduction Minister Erica Stanford and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speak to media.
\nPhoto: Nick Monro\n<\/p>\n
It wold also power up the trade and construction sectors, Stanford said, by creating a steady flow of jobs for builder, plumbers and roofers.<\/p>\n
The investment package would consist of:<\/p>\n
$58 million for operating maintenance work for all schools.
\n$255 million for internal and external improvements on all isolated, small and rural schools, representing half of all state schools.
\n$100 million over five years for urgent and essential infrastructure work.<\/p>\n
Stanford said the government had halved the cost of a new classroom from $1.2m to $620,000.<\/p>\n
The investment would create jobs in the construction industry, Stanford said, and there was now a faster track to deliver safe, warm classrooms for children.<\/p>\n
“It isn’t just about classrooms it’ll drive jobs and growth… it means contracts for tradies.”<\/p>\n
Questions on recognising a Palestinian state<\/p>\n
While Luxon and Stanford spoke to media, journalists again raised questions on whether the government would recognise a Palestinian state.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nPrime Minister Christopher Luxon speaking to media on Monday.
\nPhoto: Nick Monro\n<\/p>\n
Luxon said he understood some partners had recognised a Palestinian state overnight, but New Zealand would make its own independent decision.<\/p>\n
“We will have a total government decision. It’s a when not if. The real issue is what’s going on in that region.<\/p>\n
“We’re not pro-palestine or pro-israel we’re pro-peace. The real event is what’s going to stop the human suffering on the ground today.”<\/p>\n
Luxon said the key issue was how to get peace in the region.<\/p>\n
“Nothing changes tomorrow when every country recognises a Palestinian state.”<\/p>\n
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters would outline New Zealand’s position at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Australia, Canada, the UK and France have now officially recognised a Palestinian state, as the crisis on the ground in Gaza worsens.<\/p>\n
New Zealand has held off making any moves to date, with Cabinet instead opting to go through a weeks-long consultation and deliberation process before announcing its decision at UNGA.<\/p>\n