A new model of 'metro' school is being considered in places like Auckland to cater for a booming population.
Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced the scheme on Saturday, detailing a compact leased site that uses community land such as fields, rather than buying its own. They might also forgo gyms, but Ms Kaye made no mention of pools in her announcement.
"With parts of New Zealand, especially Auckland, becoming increasingly urbanised and intensified, we need to challenge the way we think about procuring infrastructure and delivering education in these areas."
Ms Kaye says there'll be a need for an extra 17,000 new student places in the city by 2019.
New schools already planned will accommodate 9000, with another five new schools and 188 classrooms taking in the rest.
Metro schools' proximity to inner-city businesses will "enrich the educational experience for students, eg. through access to museums and libraries, and connections with local businesses which can lead to work placements" says Ms Kaye.
Newshub.
