Google software for schools

The Google agreement provides additional functionality and security to existing Google applications, as well as retaining the ability to manage Chromebooks from a cloud-based admin console.

Level of compliance Main audience Other

Inform

  • Principals and tumuaki
  • Teachers and kaiako
  • School ICT specialist
  • Boards
  • Administrators
  • External ICT providers

Google software is a useful tool for schools that supports teaching and learning. The software licences are Ministry-funded, and free for schools to access through approved providers.

The Google agreement

The Google for Education agreement provides schools with Ministry-funded Chrome Education Upgrade and the new Google Workspace for Education Plus.

The Chrome Education Upgrade allows schools to manage any number of Chromebooks, customise features and configure security settings from a cloud-based admin console.

Google Workspace for Education Plus gives schools access to enterprise level teaching and learning, reporting and security tools. This comprehensive edition includes all the enhanced security features and tools from Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and more.

Google Workspace for Education Plus(external link)

Key features of the Chrome Education upgrade

Schools will be able to create a personalised, safe and secure, school-wide experience for each and every device covered by the licence. Through the licence, schools will be able to:

  • select apps for student devices so they have the right apps they need
  • customise the user experience by automatically loading websites on start-up, adding custom bookmarks and blocking URLs
  • schedule regular updates on Chromebooks
  • prevent anyone from un-enrolling their managed Chromebook from the school’s domain, minimising lost and stolen devices
  • manage student sign-in to prioritise educational use of devices during school hours
  • get free 24/7 support which can be accessed from the Google Admin Console by clicking the question mark “?” or the ‘contact support’ link.

The Chrome Education Upgrade is a perpetual licence that covers the life of the device it's attached to whilst on the same domain.
Download the Chrome Education Upgrade overview to find out more about the licence’s features.

Chrome Education Upgrade overview(external link) 

Key features of Google Workspace for Education Plus

Google Workspace for Education Plus is the comprehensive and premier edition that includes all the enhanced security features and tools from Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and more.

These enhanced tools enable digital transformation with premium teaching and learning capabilities, and proactive security features:

  • up to 250 active participants in a Meet call, with livestream options
  • breakout rooms and live Q&A within Meet
  • unlimited originality reports, as well as a within school repository enabled
  • enterprise-level Gmail and Drive security to prevent and remediate events
  • enhanced Google Classroom add-ons to focus learning
  • data exports to help give an overview of learning
  • additional storage
  • across domain Cloud Search
  • faster support
  • and much more.

Google Workspace for Education Plus overview (external link)

Schools covered

We will cover the cost of the Chrome Education upgrade and Google Workspace for Education Plus for New Zealand state and state-integrated schools.

Independent schools are able to receive a discount on licence costs by contacting a Google for Education Partner.

Registered Google for Education partners(external link)

Duration of the Google agreement

Our Google Agreement starts on 1 July 2021 and runs until 30 June 2024.

Devices covered by the agreement 

All school-owned, leased and Student Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Chromebooks and Chrome OS devices.

Previously unmanaged Chromebooks (Chromebooks without a Chrome Education Upgrade license) and newly purchased Chromebooks will be able to enrol into the school’s network with the Ministry-funded Chrome Education Upgrade licence to be managed.

How to get the Chrome Education upgrade and Workspace for Education Plus

Contact one of the current eligible Google Chrome and Google Workspace for Education authorised resellers to organise licenses. 

Google for Education partners(external link)

How to get Google for Education products not covered by the agreement

Contact one of the Google for Education partners.

Registered Google for Education partners(external link)

Your rights and obligations under the agreement

Schools are obligated to deploy a Chrome Education Upgrade License within three months of being allocated it. Unused licences will be re-purposed by the Ministry for re-allocation to other schools

Licence agreement for Chrome Device Management(external link)

Training for Google for Education tools

Visit the Google for Education blog for updates.

Google for Education blog(external link)

If you're a teacher, Google’s Teacher centre has free resources on Workspace for Education. These resources include the training module for Chromebooks that can help you make the most out of having Chromebooks in your classroom.

Teacher centre(external link)

Access published slides decks and webinars presented by Google to assist educators and domain administrators with the use of Google for Education.

Google for Education NZ Educator Training Resources(external link)

Online training courses are also available for Workspace for Education administrators.

Workspace for Education administration(external link)

Learn how Tauranga Girls' College is easily and securely managing all students’ Chromebook devices with the Chrome Education upgrade.

Tauranga Girls' College case study(external link)

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