Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford have announced the government will invest $413 million to improve school infrastructure.
Of the $413m package $58m of it is new funding.
The pair are speaking to media at Albany Jr High School at 3pm on Monday, shortly after the announcement was made.
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.
Eduction Minister Erica Stanford and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speak to media. Photo: Nick Monro
It wold also power up the trade and construction sectors, Stanford said, by creating a steady flow of jobs for builder, plumbers and roofers.
The investment package would consist of:
- $58 million for operating maintenance work for all schools.
- $255 million for internal and external improvements on all isolated, small and rural schools, representing half of all state schools.
- $100 million over five years for urgent and essential infrastructure work.
Stanford said the government had halved the cost of a new classroom from $1.2m to $620,000.
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.
"It isn't just about classrooms it'll drive jobs and growth... it means contracts for tradies."
Questions on recognising a Palestinian state
While Luxon and Stanford spoke to media, journalists again raised questions on whether the government would recognise a Palestinian state.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaking to media on Monday. Photo: Nick Monro
Luxon said he understood some partners had recognised a Palestinian state overnight, but New Zealand would make its own independent decision.
"We will have a total government decision. It's a when not if. The real issue is what's going on in that region.
"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."
Luxon said the key issue was how to get peace in the region.
"Nothing changes tomorrow when every country recognises a Palestinian state."
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters would outline New Zealand's position at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Saturday.
Australia, Canada, the UK and France have now officially recognised a Palestinian state, as the crisis on the ground in Gaza worsens.
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.
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