Why is she directing the Ministry of Education to provide funding for schools to "solve the problem" of rural school buses in the Manawatu, when she has previously said that this is an operational matter she cannot get involved in?

Answer

I have been advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that Palmerston North Boys’ High School (PNBHS) recently trialled a private, user-pays bus service for students from Shannon and nearby areas who are not eligible for Ministry-funded school transport assistance. I understand PNBHS intends to continue operating this service for the remainder of the school year and is now exploring whether a similar private, user-pays service could work for students from the Tangimoana and Rongotea area. This is a school-led initiative. The Ministry’s local office is working with PNBHS to explore the proposal and determine what support may be available to help establish a local transport solution. Any transport solution would not be funded out of the Ministry School Transport appropriation, as these routes do not operate within policy. There has been no change to the Ministry’s school transport policy or eligibility criteria.