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Fuel crisis: Minister Erica Stanford explains relief efforts aimed at rural schools

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 20 Apr 2026, 6:06pm
Photo / Alyse Wright
Photo / Alyse Wright

Fuel crisis: Minister Erica Stanford explains relief efforts aimed at rural schools

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 20 Apr 2026, 6:06pm

Temporary fuel support is being funnelled into keeping rural schools up and running.

The Education Minister's speeding up replacing diesel boilers for up to 70 schools.

Our smallest schools are getting one-off $2500 grants - and student commute allowances are being hiked 30 percent for 5000 students.

Erica Stanford says mileage support's more than doubling for relief teachers at remote schools. 

"If it doesn't make financial sense for you to go out and drive to a rural school, then you may not choose to do that, and we don't want that, it's already difficult enough for them to get relievers." 

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