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About the School Property group#
The School Property group plans, builds, and manages school properties to ensure they are safe, warm and dry.
We oversee more than 2,100 primary and secondary state schools on 8,000 hectares of land with a value of $33.5 billion. It’s the second largest social property portfolio in New Zealand, and one of the largest overall.
We’re expecting to make a significant shift to become the New Zealand School Property Agency in 2026 once legislation has passed.
What we do#
The Government's priorities for school property are warm, safe, dry learning environments that can be delivered quickly and cost-effectively. It also has a strong focus on maintaining property.
In response, we are working to:
- improve our performance and position ourselves to meet these priorities
- respond to the recommendations in the Ministerial Inquiry into School Property
- respond faster and better meet to the needs of our schools and kura.
The changes we have made so far, such as making more use of offsite manufacturing, are getting results. In the 2024-25 financial year, the cost of the average classroom was a lot less than in previous years. By lowering costs, we can deliver more classrooms – 31% more classrooms were delivered in 2024 than in 2023.
As we work towards establishing the New Zealand School Property Agency, we are building a new approach based on partnership and choice. Schools have different needs and capabilities, so we are moving to a model that provides more options to better meet the needs of each school.
Ministerial Inquiry into School Property – Beehive
New school property Crown agency#
Establishment Board for school property#
An Establishment Board provides specialist independent advice on the transition to the New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA).
Managing your own property services and delivery#
In March 2026, we invited expressions of interest from schools wanting to make their own decisions about their property.
This is an opportunity for schools to take on more responsibility for planning and delivering their own property services and projects. They would still be supported by School Property and the Ministry of Education.
Participating schools could take on more responsibility for:
- planning and sequencing of property works
- procuring professional services and contractors
- project delivery
- budget and risk management.
The aim is to build a trust‑based approach where capable schools have more freedom to deliver projects more quickly, and where decisions are made by the people who understand the school’s needs.
Next steps#
- Expressions of interest closed on 31 March with over 180 submissions.
- We are reviewing submissions and will be in touch with schools in April.
- All applicants will be notified of the outcome by 1 May 2026.
Submissions will be assessed using criteria to make sure schools can take on a more active role in planning, procurement and delivery where they can.
Our assessment process is collaborative. We are working with schools to understand their readiness and the level of support they may need.
For questions about an expression of interest or this process, contact Megan Reid (Service Transformation Lead).
Email: [email protected]
Standard buildings and repeatable designs#
We are focusing on standard or repeatable value-for-money buildings that can be delivered on time and on budget.
Standard buildings are designed to a fixed set of specifications and requirements that should not need many changes. As well as standardising our buildings, we are standardising interior layouts and materials, in consultation with educators and the construction sector.
Standardising buildings will make sure new teaching spaces:
- are delivered faster
- are equitable and have consistent quality
- are fit for purpose
- achieve value for money.
Repeatable designs are building designs that can be easily changed and used again for different school projects. We will use these designs where we can until our full set of standard building types is ready.
Support for small schools#
We are also increasing support for the property needs of small schools as our Ngā Iti Kahurangi team delivers an expanded suite of improvements under its Small Schools Upgrade programme.
Ngā Iti Kahurangi – improving classrooms in small or remote schools
The programme involves upgrading the inside and outside of classrooms at 934 schools and kura around the country with up to 15 improvements, including better lighting, heating and insulation.
If your school or kura is included in the programme, we will have already been in touch with you.
Jerome Sheppard, Acting Chief Executive for School Property#
At the beginning of 2025, Jerome Sheppard stepped into the role of acting Chief Executive for School Property. He reports directly to the Minister of Education.
Jerome has previous experiences in public sector infrastructure, including senior property leadership roles across several key agencies such as the Education Infrastructure Service team at the Ministry of Education, Land Information New Zealand and most recently the property team at the Ministry of Justice.
By working across a diverse range of land and infrastructure agencies, he’s developed a broad and practical understanding of how to deliver complex property initiatives that serve communities.
Jerome is focused on results and supporting Ministry people to achieve the key goals of making school property warm, safe, dry and accessible for all learners.
