20/06/2024 
Marcus Cook 
[FYI request #27021 email]  
Tēnā koe Marcus 
 
OIA: 1329680 – Land acquired in Whenuapai 
Thank you for your email of 27 May 2024 via the FYI website to the Ministry of Education (the 
Ministry) requesting the following information, which we have numbered for ease of reference:  
I understand (via the proverbial grapevine) that MOE have recently acquired land in or 
around Whenuapai, Auckland, for the purposes of a high school. 
 
My questions are: 
 
1.  Could you please confirm if this is the case or not? 
If so: 
2.  When does MOE expect to settle on this land? 
3.  When does MOE expect to start development? 
4.  When is this school expected to be open? 
5.  Is this school intended to be in addition or an alternative to the proposed "Kumeu 
College" site, which I understand to be in Taupaki. 
If not: 
6.  Has the MOE recently acquired land in or around Whenuapai for any other purpose 
(that is, not a secondary school)? 
7.  If so, what is the intended use for that land? 
 
For the avoidance of doubt, "acquired" includes having concluded an agreement, whether 
or not the land has been actually purchased at this time. 
8.  If no agreement has been reached, please advise status of negotiations (within the 
provisions to withhold of course). 
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).  
Regarding the first and sixth parts of your request, I can confirm that the Ministry has not 
acquired land in or around Whenuapai for a high school or any other purpose. 
As such, I am refusing the second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh parts of your request under 
section 18(e) of the Act, as the information does not exist. 
Auckland Office, Level 3, 12-18 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024 
Private Bag 92644, Symonds Street, Auckland 1149 Phone: +64 9 632 9400  

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Regarding the eighth part of your request, the Ministry is currently investigating opportunities to 
acquire land to support additional education provision in the Whenuapai area. 
Please note, we may publish this response on our website after five working days. Your name and 
contact details will be removed. 
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review my decision 
on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do this by writing to 
[email address] or to Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143. 
Nāku noa, nā 
 
 
 
 
Sam Fowler 
Head of Property 
Te Pou Hanganga, Matihiko | Infrastructure and Digital 
 
 
 
OIA: 1329680 

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