Information for infrastructure suppliers

This directory page provides information and links to further resources for infrastructure suppliers. 

• Property planning
• Property projects
• Design Review Panel
• Design standards
• Weathertightness remediation
• Weathertightness requirements for new schools
• ICT infrastructure
• Supplier panels
• Our contracts
• School transport
• Construction Sector Accord
• Infrastructure News

School property

About the property portfolio

New Zealand’s school property portfolio is a significant Crown asset. The Ministry of Education is responsible for managing the $28.7 billion (replacement value as at 30 June 2018) property estate of around 2,100 state schools, more than 15,000 school buildings and 8,000 hectares of land.

Property planning

The 10 Year Property Plan (10YPP) is the main planning tool for school property. It sets a 10 year schedule of property work and ensures that school buildings are maintained and can support twenty-first century teaching and learning. A 10YPP must be prepared by a Ministry-trained 10YPP Consultant.

Information for 10YPP consultants on preparing a 10YPP

Construction project pipeline

Property projects

Approximately 70% of property projects are led by the Ministry, who is the client and buyer of services. The remaining projects are led by schools, where services are engaged by a board and managed by a Project Manager appointed by the school.

Types of projects led by schools and by the Ministry

Information for project managers on the Ministry’s project management requirements 

Design Review Panel

We have a Design Review Panel (DRP) which undertakes independent, high-level quality assurance reviews of school development projects at various design stages. These reviews assist the Ministry in the process of ensuring that designs meet the national standards and guidelines for school property design.

The review process is undertaken for all new schools and school redevelopments costing more than $3 million.

An overview of the documents required to be supplied for a design review

An overview of the review process

Design standards

All school building projects must comply with legal and Ministry design standards and should follow best practice standards.

The Design Guidance documents set out the Ministry’s requirements and guidelines for designing infrastructure on school sites. Using these documents will ensure that our schools are fit for purpose and flexible enough to be adapted to meet future needs.

The Designing Schools in New Zealand Requirements and Guidelines (DSNZ) document sets out the broader design requirements for the school environment.

Detailed information for designers and consultants on school property design standards

Weathertightness remediation

This programme addresses state school buildings that have been subject to destructive testing reports as part of the Ministry’s national survey of buildings with weathertightness issues, but are yet to have remedial work completed.

Information for suppliers involved in the weathertightness remediation programme

Weathertightness requirements for new schools

Our Weathertightness Requirements for New Schools document provides designers with the weathertightness requirements for the design of the external envelope of new school buildings.

Information on weathertightness for architects, designers and others designing new school buildings.

ICT infrastructure

All schools have had their ICT infrastructure upgraded through the School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP), allowing them to make the most of ultrafast broadband. Schools are responsible for keeping their ICT network maintained to the current Ministry standard.

All maintenance of an ICT network, including installing and supplying structured cabling and integrating wireless services, must be done by an approved ICT Contractor.

Information for ICT Contractors carrying out ICT network maintenance

Supplier panels

The Ministry has established a range of supplier panels to make the tender process faster and easier, and to reward high performing suppliers with more opportunities.

Information on supplier panels

Our contracts

View contract templates and guidance for school-led and Ministry-led construction projects, and school-led maintenance projects:

Contract templates and guidance for construction works and professional services

Information on contracts for maintenance work

Transport

About school transport assistance

While the responsibility of getting students to and from school sits with caregivers, the Ministry offers assistance for students where distance is a barrier to education.

The Ministry works with various organisations, businesses and individuals to provide school transport services. The following pages provide information to support these service providers.

School bus procurement

Managing accidents or incidents

Automatic vehicle location technology

Safety and behaviour

Construction Sector Accord 

As one of the largest buyers of non-residential vertical infrastructure we are proud to be a part of the Accord’s shared commitment between government and industry to transform the construction sector. 

Construction Sector Accord(external link)

Infrastructure News (formerly Property News)

You can keep up to date with news and updates for suppliers: Subscribe to Infrastructure News(external link)

Past issues are available in the online archive: Infrastructure News Archive(external link)