Rangiora New Life School
Independent Cost and Project Oversight
Project Portfolio
With its school community growing, Rangiora New Life School needed more space to support students and staff.
Rangiora New Life Fellowship Trust, as proprietor of Rangiora New Life School, recently undertook a staged development to create six additional teaching spaces and improve its wider facilities.
As an approved provider on Westpac’s Quantity Surveying Panel, CM-NZ was engaged to provide the independent reporting required by Westpac. Our team monitored costs, construction progress, funding requirements, and project risks throughout the development.
We also worked closely with Korucon, the design and build contractor responsible for delivering the project.
The Challenge
The school needed six new teaching spaces ready for the beginning of Term 2. Missing this deadline would have left students without suitable classrooms.
The development involved several connected stages within an operational school environment. This required careful planning to limit disruption and meet the school’s key deadlines.
Work included relocating and refurbishing an existing relocatable building, constructing the new teaching block, upgrading the administration building, and expanding the school’s car park.
CM-NZ’s Approach
CM-NZ provided independent quantity surveying oversight from the initial funding review through to final completion. Our reporting gave Westpac clear information to assess progress, approve drawdowns, and monitor project risk.
Before construction began, we reviewed the proposed costs, contingency allowances, and key risks. We also assessed the cost coverage within Korucon’s contract.
This review gave Westpac and the school a clear view of the project’s financial position. It also created a reliable basis for monitoring costs throughout construction.
Our role required independent judgement and practical construction knowledge. We considered each party’s interests while maintaining clear financial accountability.
The Implementation
The development progressed across three main stages.
The first stage involved relocating and refurbishing an existing classroom building. Korucon also installed compliant ramps and decking, completing this work in October 2025.
The second stage delivered a purpose-built teaching block with six teaching spaces. It also included teacher resource areas, toilets, and outdoor decks.
Korucon completed the 16-week design and consent phase before starting a 22-week construction programme. The teaching block reached completion in March 2026, ready for Term 2.
The final stage covered expanding and upgrading the administration building, car park, and supporting infrastructure.
Throughout construction, CM-NZ completed monthly site inspections and detailed reports. We assessed progress, certified bank drawdowns, and calculated the remaining cost to complete the project.
The Results
CM-NZ’s independent oversight gave Westpac and the school clear visibility of project costs, progress, and risk.
Our inspections and reporting supported timely drawdowns while maintaining accountability. We also identified financial risks early and tracked changing costs against the available funds.
Korucon completed the six new teaching spaces on programme and to a high standard. The classrooms successfully opened on time for students at the beginning of Term 2. The administration facilities and expanded car park reached completion in July 2026.
The school now has modern teaching spaces designed around its needs. It also benefits from improved administration facilities, upgraded infrastructure, and increased parking.
Paul Belcher, Director at CM-NZ, reflected on the outcome:
“It was a satisfying project to be involved with and to see delivered on time. The school gained something much more tailored to its needs, at a cost comparable with standard modular classrooms.”
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