20 Nov 2020

Government fund rolls out another $2.5m for school emissions

6:25 pm on 20 November 2020

Forty one schools across New Zealand will receive a share of $2.5 million for projects to reduce school emissions and save them money.

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Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Education Minister Chris Hipkins has announced the second round of the Sustainability Contestable Fund.

The first round, announced in April, supported projects at 53 schools.

Hipkins said the funding will go towards a range of initiatives.

"You're seeing everything from solar panels to LED lights to water projects to make better use of water. Different needs in different areas, so schools in a small rural community will have different ideas from what a larger urban school might be doing."

Hipkins said the funding would go towards initiatives such as installing new LED lighting systems, solar panels, and more efficient heating systems, as was seen in the first round of funding.

"Ladbrooks School in Halswell has installed new LED Lighting system, new low-flow tap fittings, a heat pump system to replace old electric hot water cylinders, and more efficient heat pumps to replace electric fan and panel heaters with the fund.

"At Randwick School in Lower Hutt where 48 solar panels are being installed, it's estimated that it will save the school more than $2600 in the first year they're installed. We expect the school to save more than $65,000 over 25 years."

He said he expected the projects would also help build business confidence, by providing work for local suppliers and contractors.

Schools granted funding in the second round:

School Name Area Project funded
Baverstock Oaks School Auckland - Howick Multiple projects
Bayswater School Auckland - Devonport-Takapuna Boiler replacement
Beach Haven School Auckland - Kaipatiki Rainwater tanks
Carew Peel Forest School Ashburton District Solar project
Duntroon School Waitaki District Solar project
Edendale School (Auckland) Auckland - Albert-Eden Boiler replacement
Edgecumbe College Whakatāne District Boiler replacement
Foxton Beach School Horowhenua District Boiler replacement
Freyberg Community School Auckland - Henderson-Massey Boiler replacement
Geraldine High School Timaru District LED replacement
Gisborne Boys' High School Gisborne District LED replacement
Halcombe Primary School Manawatū District Solar project
Halfmoon Bay School Southland District Solar project
Hillside Primary School Southland District Solar project
Kimbolton School Manawatū District Composting/recycling initiative
Matipo Road School Auckland - Henderson-Massey Multiple projects
Meadowbank School Auckland - Ōrākei LED replacement
Mercer School Waikato District Classroom fireplace replacement
Motupipi School Tasman District Solar project
Ngātīmoti School Tasman District Solar project
Onewhero Area School Waikato District LED replacement
Oturu School Far North District Composting/recycling Initiative
Ōwairaka District School Auckland - Albert-Eden Multiple projects
Peria School Far North District Solar project
Rai Valley Area School Marlborough District Solar project
Ruahine School Tararua District LED replacement
Sefton School Waimakariri District Solar project
Stratford Primary School Stratford District Composting/recycling initiative
Tauranga Girls' College Tauranga City Composting/recycling initiative
TKK Motuhake o Tawhiuau Whakatāne District Boiler replacement
TKKM o Tamaki Nui A Rua Tararua District Rainwater tanks
Tomarata School Auckland - Rodney Composting/recycling initiative
Waiau School Hurunui District Solar project
Waikino School Hauraki District Multiple projects
Waimate Main School Waimate District Solar project
Waituna Creek School Waimate District Solar project
Weedons School Selwyn District Solar project
Wesley Primary School Auckland - Puketapapa Multiple projects
Whakatāne Intermediate Whakatāne District Multiple projects
Whangaruru School Whangārei District Solar Project
Woodbury School Timaru District LED replacement