Tēnā koe,
The recent developments with the COVID-19 pandemic have had huge impacts across nearly every sector in New Zealand - most dramatically in the construction sector.
The New Zealand Government, led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and supported by the Construction Accord Steering Group, has been considering the significant impacts on the construction sector and how to respond and yesterday implemented the first action from the Accord’s Construction Sector Response Plan by releasing guidance and expectations to agencies on managing contracts during the shutdown.
To date, we have taken the step of suspending all of our construction contracts and acknowledging the contractors’ entitlement to variation claims.
Now, to provide some short-term cash flow, we are able to confirm that we will be releasing the project retention money we hold against Ministry-led construction contracts with a value over $50,000 and suspend the collection of retentions until construction activities resume on sites.
We will release retentions:
- For all projects that are pre-practical completion
- From the date of contractor acceptance of our retention release agreement to the end of lockdown, at which point the collection of retentions will resume, and
- On confirmation from contractors that the release of retentions will be passed on to subcontractors.
We have prepared a simple form of agreement documenting the requirements. Our Delivery Managers will be in contact with you to discuss this further.
We value the support that you provide to deliver quality learning environments for schools and learners across New Zealand. We hope that this change will help us to build stronger commercial relationships with you and ensure the success of your business and our ongoing programme of works.
If you have any questions please contact us at Askus.Procurement@education.govt.nz.
Nā māua noa, nā
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