The Network for Learning (N4L) is announcing a significant milestone in the rollout of its Managed Network Upgrade, with nearly a third of all schools and kura across Aotearoa New Zealand now having access to next-generation internet infrastructure.
Fully funded for all state and state-integrated schools and kura, the delivery of these upgrades to 750 schools so far is a key step forward and marks significant progress in N4L’s commitment to deliver faster, safer, and more secure digital learning environments for students and educators nationwide. For the first time, the new Managed Network is allowing N4L to operate as a virtual Internet Service Provider, managing internet service delivery directly to schools and delivering services more efficiently, more affordably, and with greater responsiveness than ever before.
The Managed Network Upgrade involves replacing school firewalls before they reach end-of-life, and switching to a new internet connection. All schools are scheduled to complete the upgrade before mid-2026.
Last year, Palo Alto Networks Ltd and 2degrees Mobile Ltd (2degrees) were awarded the long-term contracts as key partners in delivering the upgrade, following a competitive procurement process.
Wellington’s Island Bay School, a primary school with 340 students on its roll, is one of the schools to have been upgraded. Principal, Deborah Fenton says the process was quick and easy, with little or no disruption to school operations.
“On the day, there was very little impact on us, so N4L did a really good job,” she says.
“The upgrade happened in a single afternoon. N4L knew the times of day we needed to do important things, so they were able to flex to our needs and choose the most insignificant time of the school day to do it.”
Ms Fenton says she also values the safety and security solutions N4L delivers, which offer an excellent level of protection for Island Bay School and their students.
“One of the biggest things that N4L provides is helping protect our ākonga from accessing things like websites and social media, which is a really amazing service to have in a school. Helping us keep kids protected is the number one thing N4L does really well.”
N4L CEO, Larrie Moore said completing the upgrade of more than 750 schools to the new Managed Network was a significant milestone in the organisation’s goal of providing next-generation, fit-for-purpose, digital infrastructure to schools and kura across New Zealand.
“All schools, big or small, urban or rural, will be able to have access to enterprise-grade internet and cybersecurity, ensuring high-quality, fit-for-purpose digital services that best support modern teaching and learning. This hard mahi is allowing schools to concentrate on what matters most: teaching and learning,” he said.
Rob Campbell, Hautū Te Pou Rangatōpū | Deputy Secretary Corporate, Ministry of Education, says: “Ensuring all schools and kura have access to safe and resilient digital infrastructure is a key priority for the Ministry of Education. This important milestone in the Managed Network Upgrade programme reflects the strength of our partnership with N4L and our shared commitment to supporting digital equity, cybersecurity, and better learning outcomes for ākonga across Aotearoa.”
