Installing fencing

We do not have a specific requirement for schools and kura to be fenced.

Schools and kura should be safe, welcoming and inclusive environments. Boards should consider if this will be affected by a proposed fencing project.

Boards may decide to install fences for security or privacy reasons. Fences may also support ākonga | student safety, particularly younger students and those with learning support needs.

When you install new fencing, it must meet our design standards.

Boards should consider fencing based on the priorities identified in their 10 Year Property Plan and pay for it using 5-Year Agreement funding. Fencing needed for student safety can sometimes be paid for with learning support modification funding.

Fencing provided with learning support property modification funding

If there is a student at risk of leaving school boundaries, you may need to consider fencing. Contact the learning support team or your property advisor.

A member of the learning support team will meet with the student's whānau and wider support team to understand their needs.

We will complete a serious risk assessment and write a report of recommendations. We will consider a range of strategies for creating a safe and inclusive environment. This will include whether fencing is a suitable solution.

If the serious risk assessment recommends fencing, it will be included in the property modification report and funded by us.

Funding for accessibility at school

You may need to contribute to the cost if you already have a fencing project in planning, or if you need the fencing to meet building code requirements.

Hazardous fences

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, you must not have fencing that could harm people.

A hazardous fence may have:

• cut-steel ‘arrow heads’, sometimes called ‘spear heads’
• single and triple-pointed palisades, or a rod or tube cut on an angle to form a point
• other deterrent features that could potentially harm people.

If you have hazardous fencing on your school grounds, you must remove the hazard. This could mean removing the hazardous features or replacing the fence.

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – New Zealand Legislation

Building or replacing a boundary fence

If you're planning to build or replace a boundary fence, you need to discuss with your neighbour and issue them a notice under the Fencing Act 1978. This is to formally advise them of your intentions and their responsibilities. Contact your property advisor for advice on this process.

The Fencing Act 1978 has more information. Schedule 1 has an example of a fencing notice.

Fencing Act 1978 – New Zealand Legislation

If your neighbour issues your school with a notice under the Fencing Act 1978, contact your property advisor.

You will usually be able to resolve minor issues. More substantial issues can be reviewed by our Ownership and Occupancy team.