NEW LED lighting and sound-absorbing ceiling panels are among improvements made to classrooms at Ōpōtiki Primary School before the start of the new school year.

Ōpōtiki Primary and Ōpōtiki College are two of 763 schools included in the Ministry of Education’s Ngā Iti Kahurangi programme.

MoE head of property Sam Fowler said the programme, which improved lighting, acoustics, insulation and energy efficiency in small and remote schools and kura around the country, had been running since 2021.

“The replacement of carpets has been part of the programme since January 2024,” he said.

“There are currently 763 schools in the Ngā Iti Kahurangi programme supported by three project management companies around the country.”

Torque IP has been responsible for the upgrades at Ōpōtiki schools.

Project manager Brett Gurney said the MoE had selected schools that were isolated, small or rural for the upgrade.

Other upgrades at Ōpōtiki Primary include a new Wi-Fi-system and new power switches.

“We’re also checking the insulation and doing a 360-degree camera review of the property,” Mr Gurney said.

“I first came here to inspect the school, after which contractors spent two weeks doing the work and now, we’re inspecting again,” he said. “The final step is to install the new carpet.”

Mr Fowler said Ōpōtiki College also received upgraded power switches, LED lighting and insulation to much of the school and acoustic panel installation in classrooms – but not carpet.

“Our carpet replacements are targeted at classrooms for primary school students so Ōpōtiki College won’t be receiving replacement carpet through the Ngā Iti Kahurangi programme,” he said.