Hon Chris Hipkins
Minister of Education
10 April 2018 MEDIA STATEMENT
New Pukekohe West primary school a step closer
Construction of the new Pukekohe West primary school in Auckland is set to begin next year, with an Establishment Board
of Trustees in the process of being appointed.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins says the school, which will initially be called Pukekohe West School, will be built on
a four-hectare site in Belmont, and have an initial build roll of 350 students.
“Once selected and appointed, the Establishment Board of Trustees will contribute to the school’s design, vision, and
staffing plan,” Chris Hipkins says.
“Data projections show that the population in Pukekohe is expected to double from 21,000 people now, to more than 40,000
people by 2040. We’re building a new school to make sure that the local schooling network is set up to cope with the
projected population growth in the area.
"Pukekohe West School will also include provision for special education facilities including a Sensory Resource Centre
for Blind and Low Vision Education Network New Zealand (BLENNZ).
“This is an exciting new development for Pukehohe and I’m looking forward to watching the school take shape over the
next few years,” Chris Hipkins says.
Pukekohe West School is expected to open in 2021. It will be a contributing Year 1-6 school, and will have room to
expand in the future if needed.