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First PPP school opens in Auckland

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First PPP school opens in Auckland

3News NZ

Education Minister Hekia Parata announced the opening of Auckland's Hobsonville Point Primary School (Getty)

Education Minister Hekia Parata announced the opening of Auckland's Hobsonville Point Primary School (Getty)

The first school to be built under a public-private partnership (PPP) opened today and Labour says it's going to cost taxpayers more than the Government expects it to save.

Education Minister Hekia Parata announced the opening of Auckland's Hobsonville Point Primary School, which was designed, built and financed by a PPP consortium.

The consortium will be responsible for maintaining it for 25 years.

Labour, which opposes PPPs, says the Government expects it will save $2 million over the 25-year life of the contract but has already spent $3.5 million developing the business case for the school.

"Her so-called savings are actually costing taxpayers $1.5m," said acting education spokesman Chris Hipkins.

"And it gets worse - the Government is also forking out $100,000 a year for a `Relationship Manager' as part of the PPP pilot.

"Over the course of the 25-year contract that would add up to another $2.5m."

NZN

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Comments

10/02/2013 11:54:26 p.m.

Kane wrote:

Private consortiums have no place profiting from public education. This is pure right wing ideology and further privatisation from Parata and National. What educational expertise do these consortiums bring when it comes to designing and maintaining modern learning environments? How much autonomy will teaching staff have in their classrooms or learning spaces? The design and maintenance of public school property is best left to those with teaching and learning expertise, ie school staff, including caretakers employed by the school, and the Ministry of Education.

5/02/2013 7:13:01 a.m.

Just Me wrote:

Governments,no matter which poltical partty is part of that government,have such wonderful ways of mis-spending taxpayers money.Put in short it's not their(the government's)personal money involved and so their eagerness to mis-spend money that doesn't belong to them.

4/02/2013 9:15:57 p.m.

iain wrote:

Jesus! Who voted for these guys? Proud to say "Not me".

4/02/2013 8:12:13 p.m.

Nancy wrote:

What! The ministry has already spent $3.5 million developing the business case for the school. I can't believe it cost them $3.5 million just to 'develop' the business case! Someone is screwing the tax payers left right and centre!

4/02/2013 6:11:19 p.m.

Valleyman wrote:

This is just the beginning of a step back in time to when only the wealthy get an education.

4/02/2013 4:52:55 p.m.

Greg wrote:

Its going to double administration costs, its going to incur massive legal costs with abuse cases, it may work with population of over 50 million, but not in NZ. Its for profit education someones going to pay, sucker.

4/02/2013 3:37:20 p.m.

alison wrote:

Just like novopay. Once again the figures dont stack up but they still put it through. This govt never admits they got it wrong. With such a talented bunch of idiots in charge no wonder our countrys in the poo. Guess they can always fall back on blaming Labour.