One of the country’s oldest schools is on the move.
Ranzau School, founded in 1845, will move from its current site at Ranzau Rd to the Meadows subdivision in Richmond West, the school’s board announced to staff and parents last week.
The decision comes a little over a year after the Ministry of Education offered the opportunity for the school to move to a new location after a review of primary schools on the Waimea plains in 2020.
The move, due to happen for the start of the 2026 school year, will undoubtedly see the school’s role increase. Currently, it has around 140 students, only a third of those are in the school’s zone.
The new school will cater for up to 300 pupils.
The 3ha site for the school was purchased by the government in 2020. At the time education minister Chris Hipkins said that by 2028, an additional 320 primary, 130 intermediate and 390 secondary places are expected to be needed in the Waimea catchment. “By 2048, those numbers expected to more than double,” said Hipkins at the time.
Ranzau School board chair, Daniel Haring, says the move is an exciting one for the school and “guarantees the future of Ranzau School for generations”.
The school has been on its current site since 1848, when it moved from its original location on Whites Rd.
The decision to move comes after more than a year of consultation and Ranzau School principal Dave Sampson says staff are fully supportive and excited about the teaching opportunities at the new site.
“There are a lot of incredible local resources to be embraced and help create a curriculum that is real life and meaningful to students. There is a stream that runs next to the school, local businesses nearby, there’s a retirement village, there will be early learning centres, all within a safe walking distance.
“This move will be incredible for our learners and that’s what we’ve kept at the centre of our discussions.”
During the consultation process, there were some concerns about walking away from 170 years of teaching at Ranzau Rd. The history of the school at its current site was a consideration during the process but the long term future and the positives of a move were too great to ignore, says Dave.
“There is a historical perspective and there is sentiment here. My four kids came through this school and I’ve worked here a long time. The staff, students and community have a lot invested in this school in this place, it is because of that investment we want to see it thrive and continue for a long time to come. We want to take the history and all the things that are unique and special about this school and enhance it.”
He says students will also benefit from a larger school in a number of ways not just in the classroom.
“Being slightly bigger will also mean more friendship, cultural and sporting opportunities.”
Daniel says he hopes the name of the school will remain.
“Ranzau wasn’t called Ranzau because of the road it’s on, it’s named after Count Rantzau who helped early settlers come here. We want the culture, history and heritage to go with us. Keeping the name will help the continuity of these important characteristics, allowing them to grow and flourish on a new site.”
