Future Schools Partners proud to build four new schools

May 6, 2015

Future Schools Partners proud to build four new schools across New Zealand

Education Minister Hekia Parata last week signed the $298 million contract with the Future Schools Partners (FSP) consortium to finance, design, construct, and maintain Ormiston Junior College in Auckland, Aranui Community Campus and Rolleston Secondary School in Canterbury and Wakatipu High School in Queenstown.

In the agreement, the consortium will become responsible for the school maintenance for 25 years, before the buildings are handed back to the Ministry in an agreed, well-maintained condition.

“Because of this responsibility we want to make sure we deliver the best design, using the best materials and equipment to guarantee longevity and prevent costly future maintenance issues,” says consortium representative Steven Proctor.

He adds that the regular maintenance will be dovetailed around school programmes and holidays to ensure minimum disruption to classes. “But naturally we will send in our teams as soon as any issue arises.”

Mr Proctor is Executive Director of Morrison & Co’s Public Infrastructure Partners fund (PIP Fund) which will provide the equity to the FSP consortium, that is made up of experienced school facility providers. Hawkins Group will deliverdesign and construction expertise, the design team is led by ASC Architects, while Programmed Facility Management will be responsible for the facility management of the buildings, once they are completed.

Minister Parata said that the public private procurement model was an innovative and proven way to spend taxpayer money efficiently. She said, “It also benefits teachers and staff, who can spend more time raising student achievement while the private partner looks after the buildings.”

The Ormiston, Rolleston and Aranui schools will open early 2017, while Wakatipu High School will open in 2018.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye said that PPP model would save the tax-payers approximately $27 million compared to the traditional procurment model over the next 25 years, that’s equivalent to the cost of building two small primary schools.

The project is the second New Zealand schools PPP assignment for the consortium partners, which deliveredthe new primary and secondary schools at Hobsonville Point, in Auckland.

Geoff Hunt, CEO of Hawkins Group says that the schools PPP reinforces the company’s intent to be part of building better communities.

“We are delighted to bring our experience to the design and construction of these four future focused schools which will meet the changing needs of learners and technology,” says Hunt.

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