The NZSPA is expected to be established and begin operating in the second half of 2026 after key milestones are reached and legislation is passed.

It will:

• have responsibility for planning, building, maintaining and administrating the school property portfolio
• be tasked with delivering property solutions on time and within budget, with strong commercial and governance settings that achieve value-for-money outcomes
• have a dedicated board and leadership, with the commercial discipline appropriate to support informed investment decisions for the second largest social property portfolio in New Zealand.

Decisions on education policy, network and roll growth, including which schools will receive additional teaching spaces, will remain with the Ministry of Education.

A Ministerial Advisory Group is providing specialist independent advice on the transition to the NZSPA.

This announcement is part of the Government’s response to the 2024 Ministerial Inquiry into School Property, which highlighted the need for more systemic changes to the school property operating model, including clear direction from an independent board.

Ministerial Inquiry into School Property – Beehive.govt.nz

Implications for schools#

This announcement does not affect existing school property plans or projects, and our focus remains on delivering warm, safe and dry classrooms across the school property portfolio. There are no immediate changes for schools or school boards while next steps are worked through.

Responsibility for education property and land will transfer to the NZSPA when it is established. Approximately 700 Te Kōhanga Reo and ECEs lease education property and land. We expect that existing terms and conditions will continue to be honoured and there will be minimal disruption to ongoing operations, with details being worked through before NZSPA is established.

We will keep the schools and stakeholders updated as more information becomes available.

Next steps#

The work to establish the NZSPA is being supported by an establishment unit. This team sits within the Ministry of Education and is working with our stakeholders and staff to get ready for transitioning to a new school property agency. This includes planning and decisions about how the Ministry and the NZSPA functions will effectively work together.

Read more about the next steps on the Beehive website.

New school property agency to be established – Beehive.govt.nz