The Ministry of Education says it will be able to save millions of dollars on earthquake strengthening after testing showed school buildings are four to five times stronger than previously thought.
The ministry is looking closely at 1900 of its nearly 3600 buildings.
So far, 67 have been identified as needing strengthening work in the next decade.
The head of the ministry's infrastructure service group says the wooden buildings withstood pressure from cranes and diggers pulling on ropes tied to the buildings.
Kim Shannon says the ministry spends between $10 million to $15 million a year on earthquake strengthening and the testing will mean tens of millions of dollars will be saved.
