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The second in a two-part series exploring how Papakura High School is balancing success, space, and a renewed sense of community.
Papakura High School is heading into another year of strong roll growth, yet running out of
space to teach its students.
The school’s roll has climbed by about 30 per cent in the past two years, from roughly 950
students to more than 1,200.
Principal Simon Craggs says the increase reflects the school’s growing reputation and
stronger community confidence, but facilities have not kept pace.
“We’ve really exploded in the last couple of years,” he says.
“If we utilised every single space – the hall, the library, the gym…we could probably make it
work, but that’s not sustainable long-term.”
While the Ministry of Education’s projections show further growth next year, Craggs says
significant infrastructure funding is unlikely until mid-2026, when the next budget cycle
begins.
“Unless there’s some unspent money or a surprise top-up at the end of the financial year, we don’t expect to see any real changes before then.”
To manage the pressure, the school board has dipped into its reserves for temporary
refurbishments and relocatable classrooms. Staff are adapting by sharing rooms and adjusting timetables, but Craggs says the strain is becoming clear.
“We’re reaching the limit of what can be done with the space we’ve got,” he says.
“It’s not just about fitting everyone in; it’s about ensuring students have an environment that helps them learn.”
Despite the challenges, morale across the school remains positive. Craggs credits staff
flexibility and community support for helping Papakura High maintain momentum through
rapid change.
“The fact that people still want to come here says something powerful,” he says.
“It shows confidence in our values and in the direction we’re heading.”
For now, the focus is on making the most of existing facilities and continuing to deliver
quality learning while waiting for the next wave of Government investment.
Ministry outlines how it plans for school growth
Sean Teddy, leader of operations and integration at the Ministry of Education, says the
ministry manages school infrastructure by planning for both short-term and long-term population shifts to ensure there is an effective and sustainable school network across New Zealand.
He says the ministry monitors and manages school networks, particularly in high-growth
areas like Auckland, using a range of data including population projections, planned housing developments, census data, local council information, how well schools are utilised, school rolls, and other local factors.
“Our planning and modelling for growth and demand is regularly updated and refined as
forecasts change, growth or decline patterns emerge and as key input data is updated. This
allows us to dynamically adjust the required timing of, and forecast demand for, additional
student places,” Teddy says.
He says roll-growth funding is prioritised for in-zone students.
“Based on March 2025 rolls, both Papakura and Manurewa high schools had sufficient
capacity to meet their current in-zone rolls. These schools will be considered for roll-growth
classrooms through future annual budget rounds as their in-zone rolls continue to grow.”
Teddy says there has not been a halt on school construction ordered by the Government, but acknowledged that Papakura High School wasn’t eligible for a recent round of funding.
“In fact, in July, the Government announced a $120 million Auckland school property growth plan,” he says.
The $120 million initiative is funding 137 new classrooms across Auckland, creating capacity for more than 3,000 additional students. While Papakura High is not among the schools currently listed for expansion, the investment acknowledges the strain facing the region’s education network.
For now, the focus for Papakura High remains on making the most of existing facilities while waiting for the next wave of Government investment.
