GPO kōrero – April 2026
Your April 2026 update on government office property news, events and developments.
In this issue we preview our new Government Office Strategy and some new tools and resources we’re releasing next month. We also share progress with our integrated planning mahi, look at NABERSNZ ratings, governance and more.
Government Office Strategy out next month
We’re about to release our new Government Office Strategy which sets the long-term direction for the government office portfolio from 2026 onwards.
The strategy outlines our vision and the key shifts we collectively need to achieve across the system to optimise the government office portfolio. It also sets out strategic principles that will shape our decision-making and approach to managing government office space across the motu.
A high-level version of the strategy was previously shared with our governance forums (Property System Leadership Group (PSLG) and Property Governance Board) to test the proposed direction and content. Their feedback has informed the development of the full strategy which is currently awaiting final review and approval by GPO’s leadership.
The Government Office Strategy is due to be released on our website in mid-May so you can expect to hear more very soon.
Government Office Programme – integrated planning approach
The Government Office Programme will bring agency level and system level property planning together to form a comprehensive, multi year view of the current state of the portfolio and future requirements. This integrated approach helps ensure portfolio planning achieves the best alignment between system wide objectives and individual agency needs.
While Wellington has been a priority focus, we’re now turning our attention to other regions. Starting with Christchurch and Manawatū, we’re holding a series of planning sessions for agencies to help us shape the government office portfolio at a regional level. The aim is to support a shared conversation about what’s coming next—changes in workforce, service delivery, and space needs—and how these can be planned for collaboratively rather than treated reactively.
Feedback from these two initial sessions will inform how we coordinate the kōrero for other regions.
By June 2026, insights from individual agencies and planning sessions will be integrated into regional property plans for endorsement by the Property Governance Board. These plans will, in turn, inform GPO’s ongoing system wide planning under the Government Office Programme.
Once the Government Office Programme is endorsed, assessment of proposals for agencies to renew or exit a lease or acquire a new lease can be fast-tracked where they align with the Programme.
Get in touch
While the regional plans and the programme are in development, if your agency is intending to renew or exit a lease, or acquire a new lease, and hasn’t already discussed your intentions with GPO, please get in touch with your Senior Portfolio Manager so we can support you through the approval process.
Mandate under review
In our last issue we advised GPO was seeking direction from the Minister for the Public Service on options for managing the government office portfolio in future.
With the recent Cabinet reshuffle, we are currently awaiting direction from the new Minister for the Public Service, Paul Goldsmith. We’ll continue to update you as we know more.
Governance update
GPO has two main governance forums that provide strategic advice for the government office portfolio. The Property Governance Board brings together agency executive representatives and independent specialist advisors to help set system expectations and oversee system performance.
The Property System Leaders Group is a forum of agency property leaders that advises us on system-wide practices, emerging risks, key issues, and opportunities for improvement.
A list of current members of both governance groups is attached. We are currently seeking representation from another small to medium sized government agency for the Property System Leaders Group, which meets quarterly.
Please get in touch with us if you are interested in contributing to this important mahi.
NABERSNZ ratings
NABERSNZ energy efficiency ratings are required for office space over a certain size occupied by mandated agencies unless leased short-term (less than 4 years in total, including renewals).
- A base building NABERSNZ rating is required where a mandated agency leases 2,000m2 or more in a single building, and where this leased space represents 50% or more of the building’s total Net Lettable Area (NLA).
- A tenancy NABERSNZ rating is required where an agency occupies 5,000m2 or more within a single building.
- Where multiple mandated agencies occupy the same building (co located or co tenanted), the rating requirement is based on their combined leased area. Agencies may procure a single shared rating.
Our Senior Portfolio Managers will be following up with agencies to ensure we have NABERSNZ ratings on record for all office leases that meet these criteria. This information is needed to report on the overall government office performance against our energy efficiency standard.
As always, we’re happy to support agencies by entering NABERSNZ ratings into the Property Portal, just get in touch.
New tools and resources coming soon
GPO website refresh
The team has been working behind the scenes to streamline and update content on our website to make property information and resources easier to find and understand for our key stakeholders.
We’ll be launching our new-look website next month, along with the following tools and resources.
Building Performance Specification – guidance for new builds and major refurbishment of government office space
The Building Performance Specification (BPS) is a guidance tool that sets common performance expectations for new government office builds and major refurbishments, supporting clear agreement between agencies and landlords.
A pre-release version of the BPS is available for agencies with active or imminent negotiations. Please get in touch if your agency needs early access.
Workplace design guidelines
These guidelines provide a high-level introduction to good practice workplace design and refresh the guidance currently available on our website.
A more detailed workplace design guide is also in development and will be published on the website.
Portfolio dashboards
We’re in the final stages of developing our live dashboard tool, which will help agencies more easily access the latest information on their portfolio stored in our Property Portal.
The accuracy of the dashboards relies on data completeness which right now in the Portal is sitting at an average of 90% While this is a good improvement from last quarter, we’re keen to get this figure higher.
Our team is actively working with agencies to collect missing portfolio data and provide support to input this into the Portal. If you would like us to input lease documents on your behalf, we’re happy to help at no additional cost, just email them through.
New Zealand Government Procurement – solar panel survey
New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) is conducting a survey on the feasibility of a centralised contract for procurement of solar panels.
Survey responses will be submitted directly to NZGP and treated confidentially. The survey closes on Monday 4 May and can be accessed via the link below.
What will NZGP do with this information?
Survey findings will support NZGP’s report back to the Minister for Energy on the feasibility of a centralised, streamlined procurement model for solar panels. This is one of several initiatives looking to leverage public sector energy demand to drive new energy projects and grow our national energy supply.
Driving investment in new energy projects — Beehive.govt.nz
Your agency’s participation is highly appreciated.
Any questions, please email EnergyProcurement@mbie.govt.nz
Thank you for your continued engagement and feedback. Please share this update with your wider teams and get in touch if you have any questions.
Ngā mihi
Vaughan Crouch
Head of Engagement and Portfolio Planning