Watch live: New agency to manage school property announced
Education Minister Erica Stanford who is visiting Northcross Intermediate School in Auckland, made the announcement during school visit on Friday.
The new Crown agent will sit separate from the Ministry of Education, which will keep responsibility for education policy and network decisions.
Announcing the launch of the New Zealand School Property Agency, Stanford said schools had been kept waiting for classrooms and refurbishments they badly needed.
"The government inherited a school property system bordering on a crisis. The previous government made big promises to school communities, but its unfunded, bespoke, expensive projects weren't deliverable," she said.
Education Minister Erica Stanford
Photo:
RNZ / Mark Papalii
A ministerial advisory group, chaired by former National minister Murray McCully, has been tasked with providing advice on the transition to the new agency.
McCully had earlier led an inquiry into the school property system, which Stanford said had helped inform the new approach.
She said the inquiry's report had found the ministry's "processes for managing the school property portfolio needed overhauling, that schools struggled with a lack of transparency, unclear prioritisation of projects, and inefficient project planning and delivery".
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the Crown agent would balance flexibility, transparency, and ministerial direction.
"With the establishment of the NZSPA, schools can expect improved project delivery and communication, better value for money, and an increased level of transparency around decision making," he said.
Alongside the announcement, Stanford confirmed a $120 million investment in classrooms across Auckland, funded through the Budget:
Bucklands Beach Intermediate - 2 classrooms
Helensville School - 1 classroom
Kauri Flats School - 4 classrooms
Lincoln Heights School - 6 classrooms
Macleans College - 8 classrooms
Massey High School - 8 classrooms
Mission Heights Primary School - 6 classrooms
Mountain View School - 6 classrooms
Northcross Intermediate - 8 classrooms
One Tree Hill College - 6 classrooms
Orewa College - 12 classrooms
Panama Road School - 4 classrooms
Papakura Normal School - 10 classrooms (in addition to the two learning support classrooms already announced)
Papatoetoe Central School - 4 classrooms
Papatoetoe East School - 4 classrooms
Papatoetoe Intermediate - 6 classrooms
Papatoetoe South School - 6 classrooms
Puhinui School - 2 classrooms
Pukekohe North School - 4 classrooms
Rangitoto College - 10 classrooms
Te Kura o Pātiki Rosebank School - 4 classrooms
Takanini School - 4 classrooms
Tuakau College - 6 classrooms
Whenuapai School - 6 classrooms
Stanford said all projects were expected to begin construction in the next 12 months.
Earlier this week the minister announced the government was
pulling the plug on open plan classrooms
, with Stanford saying they were too noisy and distracting for many children.
She also announced
a plan to double the economic benefits brought into the country by international students
.
From November, eligible student-visa holders will be able to work more hours a week, from 20 to 25 hours, and work rights will be extended to all tertiary students in approved exchange programmes.
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