4 February 2002 Media Statement
$10 Million Agreement with Microsoft to Benefit New Zealand Education
Education Minister Trevor Mallard has signed an agreement in Seattle that gives New Zealand schools access to the latest
versions of a package of Microsoft products.
The Minister signed the agreement with Microsoft’s Worldwide General Manager, Education Solutions Group, Mark East
during a visit to Microsoft’s headquarters.
The $10 million agreement was reached with Microsoft New Zealand last year. It provides computer software to all state
and integrated schools and their staff and covers software licences for around 70,000 school PCs for two years. At the
end of that time the agreement will be reviewed.
“Since this deal was announced last year, I’ve had lots of feedback from schools about how this will benefit both their
administrative systems as well as teaching and learning in classrooms,” Trevor Mallard said.
“I’m particularly pleased that we were able to negotiate a deal which includes teachers’ personal computers as I
strongly believe that children’s learning through ICT can only reach its potential if teachers are comfortable with the
technology.
“The bulk buying power of Government has enabled us to negotiate a great deal for schools, and at no cost to them. The
financial savings to schools will be significant, particularly for those with large numbers of computers.”
The agreement between the Government and Microsoft will be administered by EdCom, a division of the Multi Serve
Education Trust. Towards the end of last year, EdCom held seminars throughout New Zealand to explain the arrangement to
schools and how they may access the deal. Schools will be receiving further information to enrol in the agreement soon.
The agreement contains the following software:
Microsoft Office Professional
Microsoft Office for Mac
Microsoft Windows Operating System Upgrades (all versions)
Microsoft CORE Client Access License
Microsoft Front Page
Microsoft Visual Studio Professional (programming tools)
Microsoft Encarta Reference Library
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Works
Ends