Zoning for Upper Clutha primary schools has had a shake up with Wānaka Primary School’s enrolment zone expanded to include the Albert Town area while Te Kura O Take Kārara’s zone has been reduced.

The local enrolment zone amendments follow consultation with the Ministry of Education.

Wānaka Primary School principal Wendy Bamford told the Wānaka App the change would “reduce growth pressure on Take Kārara and use up spare classrooms at Wānaka Primary School”.

Zoning for the two schools was implemented ahead of Te Kura O Take Kārara's opening in 2020.

Wānaka Primary School’s roll shrunk by hundreds in the years following as the result of its restricted zone, Wendy said.

The school was forced to make staff redundant and classrooms emptied.

As the result of this, in September the Wānaka Primary School board made the decision to offer out-of-zone enrolments for 2025.

Te Kura O Take Kārara and Wānaka Primary School also began consultation with the Ministry of Education on amending the school zones in July this year.

Read more: School zones undergoing ‘rebalancing’

Wendy confirmed the school board has agreed to adopt the amended zone. 

The school zone, which now includes Albert Town. IMAGE: Supplied

She said this meant students within the Albert Town zone can enrol at Wānaka Primary School as in-zone enrolments from term four.

Wānaka Primary School’s updated enrolment zone includes the boundaries formed between Ardmore Street and the Wānaka-Luggate Highway north along the shores of Lake Wānaka and the Clutha River outlet, as well as Albert Town.  

The Te Kura O Take Kārara zone still covers central, south and west Wānaka, and Cardrona.

Wendy said families interested in enrolling at Wānaka Primary School should visit the school office.