Govt funds new classrooms at Wakatipu High School
The New Zealand Government is funding 12 new classrooms at Wakatipu High School in Queenstown, with construction starting in 2027 and completion by mid-2028 to address rising student demand.
The Government will invest in 12 new classrooms at Wakatipu High School to meet growing secondary education demand in Queenstown, where sustained population growth has strained local schooling capacity. Education Minister Erica Stanford and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop announced the project, emphasizing the need for permanent infrastructure over temporary solutions. The expansion aims to provide adequate teaching spaces and high-quality learning environments for students and teachers alike.
The new facilities include a two-storey building with four specialist spaces for food technology and arts, four general teaching spaces, and a separate building with four classrooms for hard technology and automotive engineering. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027, with classrooms expected to open by mid-2028. The Government stated this approach ensures schools can focus on teaching while meeting community needs.
Budget 2026 allocated $62.5 million to build additional classrooms and upgrade learning spaces across the South Island, including Queenstown. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop noted funding has also been set aside to purchase a site for a future new high school in the area. The Government highlighted its broader commitment to planning for growth and investing in high-demand regions.
Additional funding will support converting some open-plan classrooms into enclosed spaces at Wakatipu High School and five other Public Private Partnership schools. Education Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the Government’s focus on ensuring classrooms help students concentrate and learn effectively. The school previously expanded in 2018 and 2023 to accommodate growth before relocating to its current larger site.