Ten heavy-duty air purifiers are being gifted to a Christchurch kura ā iwi to help protect tamariki from the increased risk of respiratory issues caused by potential exposure to cold, damp, and mouldy classrooms.

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, with support from Friends of the Foundation partner AHI Carrier Toshiba, is donating the air scrubbers to Te Pā o Rākaihautū, where staff and students are ensuring equitable property provision to ensure safe, warm and dry learning spaces.

A recent workplace health and safety report, commissioned by the school’s board in May, identified "critical issues" in the 70-year-old repurposed buildings, including rotting walls, mould growth, and ongoing leaks over areas where food is prepared.

The report noted that evidence had emerged of health deterioration among staff and students, including "increased asthma symptoms reported among staff. Breathing difficulties and respiratory illness reported in students not previously affected".

Foundation Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says the air scrubbers are an urgent measure to reduce harm, but fall far short of what the kura really needs.

"Every breath matters, especially for our tamariki.

"When we heard that these children were learning in freezing, damp classrooms where mould and illness are potentially spreading, we knew we had to step in," she says.

"These scrubbers will help filter the air and provide some relief, but what this kura really needs are safe, healthy, permanent buildings - no child should have to learn in conditions that harm their health."

Te Pā o Rākaihautū Kaiurungi (Principal) Terina Tahau says staff and students are incredibly grateful for the support.

"We are thankful to the Foundation and AHI Carrier Toshiba for recognising the urgency of our situation, but it should never fall on charities to step in where the system has failed."

The pā wananga has been operating out of temporary, inadequate buildings (that were closed following the Christchurch earthquakes) for over a decade, she says.

"The reality is our pononga are expected to continue to learn in temporary, aged facilities that are not fit for purpose.

"While we always ensure our pononga are safe and we have the heat pumps operating 24/7 when it is cold, the number of ongoing property emergencies is unacceptable," she says.

"Far too much time, and money, is spent on putting plasters (temporary fixes) on these property concerns.

"However, despite all of this our pononga thrive and achieve well above the National norms."

AHI Carrier Toshiba Marketing Manager Shirli Talbot says the company was keen to act quickly once it learned of the kura’s situation.

"Supplying air scrubbers is something practical we could do straight away to help improve the air they’re breathing every day, while longer-term solutions are still being worked through."

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