There are now more students in schools than ever before due to surging immigration since the borders re-opened.
Almost 16,000 more pupils have enrolled since last year across the motu, and schools are beginning to reach maximum capacity.
In Howick, Macleans College is particularly stretched by an influx of new townhouse buildings attracting large immigrant families with school-aged children.
Principal Steven Hargreaves says his biggest concern is having enough classrooms, but the lack of English spoken by new arrivals is the second hurdle.
Hargreaves spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
