Support For Schools And Families Affected By Weather EventHon Erica StanfordMinister of EducationThe Government is rolling out support to schools, kura and families in Northland and Gisborne to minimise potential disruptions, Education Minister Erica Stanford said. “Our thoughts and ongoing support are with the students, families, and teachers who have been affected by the severe weather we are seeing,” Ms Stanford says. “Ministry staff are working with schools and providers to ensure the Healthy School Lunches programme remains available, including for support students cut off from their schools. This is set to support primary and secondary students who can’t currently access their schools in Whangārei. School principals in Te Araroa / Hicks Bay are exploring alternatives including online learning, use of local marae for teaching spaces, sharing of teaching space across differing schools, and more teaching support.