PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERGPrime Minister Christopher Luxon was the surprise guest at Gore’s Māruawai College yesterday as the school celebrated the opening of its new covered sports facility. Mr Luxon was in Gore for the last day of the Southern Field Days and showed up to the school early in the morning to check out the amenities. Mr Luxon introduced himself as "the person who banned mobile phones across 2500 schools across the country" with a wry smile. The covered canopy is a part of large-scale renovations for the school and Mr Luxon said it was a fantastic start for the high school. Mr Luxon said the government was committed to investing in school infrastructure and helping to standardise buildings across the board.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 13, 2026 16:01 UTC