Latest news with #MurrayMcCully
RNZ News
18-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
New agency to manage school property announced
A new school property entity is being set up to manage the building, maintaining, and administering the school property portfolio. 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. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
18-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Watch live: New agency to manage school property announced
A new school property entity is being set up to manage the building, maintaining, and administering the school property portfolio. 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. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
08-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Skills Group To Transition To A Charitable Trust
Press Release – Skills Group Skills transition to a Charitable Trust reflects its ongoing commitment to providing effective, relevant training that supports the development of New Zealands workforce. The Skills Organisation is entering a new chapter to deepen its impact on vocational education across New Zealand, with its Members voting to transition the organisation from an incorporated society to a charitable trust. The decision follows a comprehensive review by the Skills Group Board, which aimed to align the organisation's legal structure with its long-term goals as a Private Training Establishment, while maintaining its commitment to its core charitable purpose of providing high-quality vocational education and training. Skills Organisation Chairman Tim Gibson says he was pleased with the strong support from Members for this important change. 'The decision follows careful consideration and an independent review by the Hon. Murray McCully,' Tim says. 'The review confirmed that the incorporated society model worked well for Skills in the past, but it no longer suits the needs of a large, modern vocational training business that requires significant investment and the ability to respond quickly to industry changes. 'Transitioning to a Charitable Trust will help us better serve the vocational education sector and strengthen Skills' ability to partner with industry and all stakeholders to meet the evolving needs of the workforce. We're excited about what this next chapter enables. It ensures Skills is fit-for-purpose for the future of work in New Zealand.' While the legal structure will change the day-to-day operations at Skills will continue as normal. 'The change will not affect the delivery of current training programmes or services.' Skills' transition to a Charitable Trust reflects its ongoing commitment to providing effective, relevant training that supports the development of New Zealand's workforce.
Scoop
08-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Skills Group To Transition To A Charitable Trust
Press Release – Skills Group Skills transition to a Charitable Trust reflects its ongoing commitment to providing effective, relevant training that supports the development of New Zealands workforce. The Skills Organisation is entering a new chapter to deepen its impact on vocational education across New Zealand, with its Members voting to transition the organisation from an incorporated society to a charitable trust. The decision follows a comprehensive review by the Skills Group Board, which aimed to align the organisation's legal structure with its long-term goals as a Private Training Establishment, while maintaining its commitment to its core charitable purpose of providing high-quality vocational education and training. Skills Organisation Chairman Tim Gibson says he was pleased with the strong support from Members for this important change. 'The decision follows careful consideration and an independent review by the Hon. Murray McCully,' Tim says. 'The review confirmed that the incorporated society model worked well for Skills in the past, but it no longer suits the needs of a large, modern vocational training business that requires significant investment and the ability to respond quickly to industry changes. 'Transitioning to a Charitable Trust will help us better serve the vocational education sector and strengthen Skills' ability to partner with industry and all stakeholders to meet the evolving needs of the workforce. We're excited about what this next chapter enables. It ensures Skills is fit-for-purpose for the future of work in New Zealand.' While the legal structure will change the day-to-day operations at Skills will continue as normal. 'The change will not affect the delivery of current training programmes or services.' Skills' transition to a Charitable Trust reflects its ongoing commitment to providing effective, relevant training that supports the development of New Zealand's workforce.
