The Government of New Zealand has announced the development of new schools in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch through a PPP model.

The project will be developed on a design, build, finance, operation and maintenance (DBFOM) basis. The school PPP scheme will involve the following:

• the construction of three new primary schools in Auckland,
• the construction of one new primary school in Hamilton and
• oversee the relocation and co-location of Shirley Boys' and Avonside Girls' high schools in Christchurch.

The tender process will be launched in March 2016 by issuing a request for expression of interest (RFEOI). After this stage, a total of three teams will be shortlisted. The winning bidder is expected to be announced by early 2017.

In May this year we reported that New Zealand Ministry of Education and Future Schools Partners (FSP) had achieved commercial and financial close for the NZ$298 million public private partnership (PPP) contract to build four schools.