David Seymour MP
Under-Secretary to the Minister of Education
20 May 2016 Media Statement

Under-Secretary welcomes independent entity to support Partnership Schools

An independent Partnership School support entity, E Tipu E Rea, has been established to support new, existing, and prospective Partnership School sponsors and will receive a conditional funding grant.

“The development of an independent support entity shows the maturation of the policy, bringing Partnership Schools into line with international charter school models,” Under-Secretary to the Minister of Education David Seymour says.

“England has the New Schools Network, New York has the New York Charter School Centre, and New Zealand now has E Tipu E Rea.

“E Tipu E Rea will join other independent entities such as the New Zealand School Trustees Association in providing support services to the New Zealand school system. It will seek most of its funding from private sources.

“It’s great to see high-calibre, passionate individuals step up to make a difference in students’ lives.

“We see this at every Partnership School, and now we see it with the board of E Tipu E Rea. The Board is chaired by former CEO of EY Australasia Rob McLeod, and features highly qualified and prominent New Zealanders from the education, business, and community sectors.”

Board members include:

• Rob McLeod (CEO)
• Dame Tariana Turia
• Dame Jenny Gibbs
• La’auli Savae Michael Jones MNZM
• Bruce Ritchie MNZM
• Ken Rapson

E Tipu E Rea will support:

• An increased number of high quality applicants to set up Partnership Schools
• All new Partnership Schools to be set up in a way that maximises their ability to succeed
• Existing Partnership Schools to continuously develop and perform at a high level
• High performing Partnership Schools to scale or replicate their practice through new schools or by stimulating others
• Public awareness and understanding of the role and work of Partnership Schools in New Zealand

The $500,000 funding grant will be drawn from a contingency established in 2015.

More information on E Tipu E Rea and its board members can be viewed on its website. Background information can be found on the Ministry of Education website.

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