Anne Tolley

Wellington, Sept 30 NZPA - The primary school Prime Minister John Key attended has to close, Education Minister Anne Tolley has decided.

She said today Aorangi School in Christchurch had a falling roll, its buildings needed major investment and the community was served by nearby schools.

"In the current economic climate I don't believe that the school's planned replacement building programme, costing over $2 million, can be justified or is an effective use of taxpayer money," she said.

"Nearby schools have potential capacity to provide a good educational environment for Aorangi's current students and I am confident these children will do as well, if not better, in other schools."

Ms Tolley said in June she was considering closing the school.

Mr Key said at the time he would be disappointed if it closed but understood it faced serious challenges.

"I think for nostalgic reasons anyone would be disappointed. I have very found memories of my time there, notwithstanding that the bell fell on my head when I was a bell monitor."