New school for Richmond West on pause

The pause button has been pressed on the proposed new school in The Meadows and the Ministry of Education admits it now has no timeframe for the project being started.

Two years ago, the plan was to have Ranzau School relocated to the Richmond West site in time for the beginning of the 2026 school year. Ranzau School has a roll of about 130 pupils and the proposed school was expected to cater for 300.

Ranzau School was informed this year that the relocation of the school was not prioritised for funding in the Budget 2024, but it would be considered for funding in future budget rounds.

In a statement, the ministry’s head of property, Sam Fowler, told the Nelson App “there is no relocation timeframe at this stage” and it would continue to monitor roll growth in the region.

The 3ha site for the Richmond West school between the swale around Borck Creek and the commercial hub of Central Park was purchased by the Labour government in 2020. At the time, education minister Chris Hipkins said that by 2028 the Waimea catchment would need to cater for a further 320 primary places and that was expected to more than double by 2048.

When the National Government came into power, it pressed the pause button on spending in line with its goal to make the public service more effective and fiscally sustainable. It has been undertaking reviews of ministry-led school property projects in pre-construction to achieve better value for money. Funding for school property was prioritised to where it was most needed, it said. That led to the Ranzau relocation project being paused.

For Ranzau School and families waiting for a school in The Meadows, it brings uncertainty about where their kids will go to school in the coming years. Like Kayla Duncan, who lives in The Meadows and hopes the school will be built by the time seven-week-old Millie is ready to start school.

“It’s handy having a school in the same area so you don’t have to go very far. You get to know people around the area who will go to the same school.”

Otherwise, the family will be crossing major roads to get to distant schools, she says.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says a new school will address the rapid growth in Richmond and mean children can safely walk and bike to school. She has been told by the Minister of Education that the project will be reassessed yearly, based on projected growth and network capacity, as well as future budget decisions.

“Richmond West is growing quickly and I’ve heard from parents and local business owners who are frustrated by this delay and want more information about the future of the school. Many families moved here with the expectation that a new primary school would be built for their children.”

Ranzau School’s principal, Dave Sampson, says there has been no official communication from the Ministry of Education and though he understands there is no fixed timeline for the school to relocate to the new site, he is optimistic.

“We’re looking at what happens in next year’s budget.”

He says it’s “always nice to have certainty around things” and the school is looking forward to the move, when it happens.

“As a school, we’re excited about it. There’re learning opportunities around that site. But we’re on a great site at the moment and want to deliver great education. For us, we’re interested in just doing what’s best for kids.”

Dave says Ranzau School includes families from the subdivision around the proposed new school site which he says is probably partly due to the expectation of the school moving to the area of those families and also because they want to be part of the Ranzau community.

Last year, Ranzau School celebrated 175 years, making it one of the oldest schools in the country. It has already shifted once in its long history and Dave says that when it shifts a third time, it will take “all the good things” with it.

“You amplify it on a new site. That’s why it is so exciting.”

But at this stage, just when that might happen is unknown.