Partnering with schools to self-manage

Business Managers Conference 2026

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16 July 2026

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Overview | Partnering with schools  �

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This session explores how the establishment of the New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA)

• is changing the way we work with schools; and
• opening opportunities for greater involvement in managing their property.

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We will share insights from

• partnering with schools to design future services; and
• what this is showing us about how schools want to be involved in planning and delivery to achieve more effective, efficient, and locally responsive property outcomes.

education.govt.nz

education.govt.nz

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What we will cover today

Establishing the NZSPA

• Property arrangements

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Service Transformation

• What we have done
• What we are doing right now
• What is next

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Question time

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Establishing the NZSPA

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          Go Live

• Change readiness�Ensuring systems and agreements are ready

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• Helping you get ready�Key updates and information packs and details to help you prepare for Day One of the NZSPA.�
• Pre-election period of restraint begins 7 August.

• Setting up the NZSPA

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• Engagement continues including to commercial suppliers, Treaty partners, School Business Managers, and Peak Bodies. �

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• Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Act passes �The NZSPA can be established

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• The NZSPA will be operational no later than 1 November 2026, or an earlier date as set by Order in Council. �

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Full details of the progress of the Bill can be found at

Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill - Ministry of Education

education.govt.nz

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Property arrangements | Establishing NZSPA​

• The responsibility for education property and land will transfer to the NZSPA when it is established.
• Education property, including land currently owned by the Crown, will continue to be owned by the Crown. ​
• All existing Education property leasing and occupancy arrangements that the Ministry holds will automatically transfer over to management by the NZSPA on the same terms and conditions. ​
• We encourage you to continue working with the School Property team or your local property advisor for day-to-day support.
• We'll keep schools and stakeholders updated as the transition progresses.

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Te Mātaitihi - Milns Road, Christchurch

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education.govt.nz

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NZ School Lifecycle Management

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education.govt.nz

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What we have done

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School Property Wide Transformation Initiatives

Delivering better outcomes for schools through a simpler, faster and more consistent property service model.

OUR MISSION

Making school property simpler

Enablers:      Commercial strategy       Funding system         Right-sized assurance         Regional suppliers

WHY THIS MATTERS

We are undertaking a wide set of service changes to improve how we support schools.

Our aim is to lift consistency, timeliness and quality across the system.

Standard planning - a process to standardise the way we plan and develop school sites

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Standard design – a suite of standardised building designs and layouts for schools

HOW WE PLAN

Standard delivery – consistent approach to how we deliver

Standard design – bundles upgrades, delivered centrally

School-enabled delivery – schools take a more active role in delivering their own projects, with support

School Property Partner – a single, accountable relationship lead for each school

Energy management programme – improving energy efficiency

Digitisation of Workflows – digitising and simplifying property workflows with a phased rollout and continuous improvement lens

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Customer Interface – development of customer centred workflows to support one front door

People Capability

Framework – a framework to identify and build the skills and capability needed for NZSPA

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Transition to NZSPA – a model for delivering school property services that ensures:

• safe, warm and dry buildings
• improves value for money
• strengthens leadership and oversight.

HOW WE DELIVER

SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

STRATEGIC SHIFTS

NZSPA

For Schools

• Consistency in delivery
• Less burden in planning and procurement
• Improved timelines and transparency

For NZSPA

• Efficient use of resource
• Reduced duplication
• Streamlined processes
• Value for money embedded

For Our People

• Shift from leading delivery to coordination, support and assurance
• New ways of working with customers and partners

education.govt.nz

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How delivery of services will change

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Funded versus Provider clarity

• shared decisions
• balanced trust
• “delivering and working with” schools

One‑size‑fits‑all delivery

• central control
• process‑led
• “delivering to” schools

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WE CURRENTLY DELIVER

MOVING TOWARD

We enable schools to do what they can, and support what they cannot

education.govt.nz

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Shifting our focus

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Our services – Funder versus Provider

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WE PROVIDE THE SERVICE

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NZSPA manages end-to-end delivery while schools retain visibility, input and key sign-off points.

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WE FUND THE SERVICE

Schools with demonstrated capability can lead selected planning and delivery with NZSPA guardrails, panels, assurance and support.

Entitlement policies (SPG) remain consistent under all offerings 

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Schools may lead some services and receive stronger support in others. �

The model is flexible, not one-size-fits-all.

We need your help in shaping up our Property Partnership Model.

We want to ensure the service experience for schools includes:

• Transparency - Clear visibility of where their projects are and what happens next
• Responsiveness - Faster, more predictable decisions
• Flexibility - Support that fits their capability - not a one‑size‑fits‑all process
• Partnership - A consistent relationship with NZSPA that understands their context

education.govt.nz

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What we are doing right now

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School-Enabled Delivery Design Partners

• We are working with 13 schools as design partners to deliver ‘quick wins’ and areas where we can co-design a future ‘Menu of Services’.

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• Schools already deliver projects themselves (through 5YA/ 10YPP*). We are working with other schools that do not have capability or capacity (mostly new builds) to help them deliver. It is expected that there will be a handful of schools through this year and into 2027 that will deliver an expanded range of projects.
• So far, feedback from our design partners has been positive. Early insights show schools are focused on more effective and efficient property service and project delivery:
• “It’s been positive and productive.” (Secondary School)
• “The most comprehensive and transparent property briefing we have received.” (Secondary School)
• “I valued the opportunity to learn more and share some feedback about how it could be established to work best for schools.” �(Secondary School)
• “The time together today felt meaningful, and we appreciated the open and honest conversation. It was the best property related meeting we have had in some time!” (Secondary School)

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*5YA: Five-Year Agreement funding for school property capital projects. 10YPP: Ten-Year Property Plan outlining and prioritising school property works over 10 years.

education.govt.nz

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Partnering with schools | Update �

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• In March 2026, we invited expressions of interest from schools wanting to have a greater role with their property services and delivery – there were over 189 submissions.
• We are working with all of these schools to understand the support they need and to agree how we will partner with them to manage their property services.​
• Our approach is collaborative and focused on matching the right level of flexibility and support to each school.​
• Schools not involved in the EOI continue to receive a fully supported service from School Property.

education.govt.nz

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Future 'Menu of Services'

• Built from a 'Customer-Centric' lens
• Informs process improvements along with workforce requirements
• Learnings from accelerated maintenance extension and previous facilities management pilots.

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education.govt.nz

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What is next

• NZSPA ready to be established
• Specific support for our people – People Capability Framework
• Service delivery improvements – digitising forms and workflows, exploring property partner, testing and trialling new approaches, including increased delivery options for some schools.

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education.govt.nz

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Question time

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