12.1 National Property Budget Whakakaupapa (Project) Criteria Procedure

Whakakaupapa Project Applications may be made by or on behalf of any Playcentre that is or will be affiliated to Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi o Aotearoa Playcentre Aotearoa. 

The National Property Budget will operate pursuant to the Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi o Aotearoa Playcentre Aotearoa Constitution/Trust Deed currently in operation at the time.

The National Property Budget contains an annually budgeted amount of funds to assist centres with capital works, emergency and major maintenance for the following types of Playcentre buildings:

• buildings in which licensed Playcentre sessions are held including other affiliated programmes i.e. SPACE,
• buildings used for Regional Offices,
• any other Playcentre building approved by the Chief Executive, including playgroups

Funding Criteria

       a. Can the Centre afford to fully fund the Property Works? If yes, then they will need to do so. Full financial information MUST be provided in the Whakakaupapa Project

          Note: Playcentre Aotearoa will use Financial Spotlight Reporting and Regional Team knowledge to assist with understanding the Financial implications for each Centre.

       b. Is the work for Regulation non-compliance and/or immediate health and safety risk, such as lead based paint, asbestos, sanitary hazards, loss of premises, or which if left longer will result in additional significantly compounding costs and exponential damage – e.g. leaking roof, floor/sub-floor damage,                          electrical failure, etc., or is required to keep the Centre operating.

       c. Viability of the Centre – is it likely to close in the short or medium term?

a)       All projects need to be discussed with The Property Team prior to commencing an application. Email askproperty@playcentre.org.nz.

b)      All projects funding assistance approvals:

Approval will be sought by the Property Team once the whakakaupapa project funding application is received and reviewed.

c)       Unless there are extenuating circumstances – the maximum assistance for a single centre is $50,000.00 (GST exclusive) in any 5-year period without Chief Executive approval.

New land and/or Buildings Projects

1. Funding assistance for new land and/or building projects for existing Playcentres and formation of new Playcentres will be considered under a separate Capital Budget.
2. All new land and/or building whakakaupapa projects need Trustee Board Approval. A Board Proposal Document will be created by the Property Team for presentation by the Chief Executive.
3. All property items required for a licensed Playcentre must be included in the application as part of the total cost of the project.

Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi o Aotearoa Playcentre Aotearoa funds must be spent within 12 months of Approval unless extenuating circumstances are presented.

The Property Funding Approval Team and the National Property Manager when processing applications will consider the following factors:

Administrative Considerations:

• Whakakaupapa Project Applications will be accepted at any time and will be assessed as they come in.
• Correct Application Forms and Information needs to be provided. Property Team will be responsible for making sure all information is correct and present prior to them submitting it for approval. Incorrect or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please work with your Property Team to answer any questions you do not understand. This will ensure a smooth and efficient process.
• Retrospective emergency applications will only be accepted up to one month after, under special circumstances. The Property Team will seek approval from the National Property Manager in advance in these situations.

Project Considerations:

• What will be the effect on the Playcentre of this application being declined/deferred?
• What level of maintenance has been put into maintaining the property?
• Does the Centre have other more urgent projects that need to be completed prior to this one?
• Projects will only be resubmitted and reconsidered at the discretion of the Property Team.

Financial Considerations:

• How much National Property Budget is available for allocation? How much are the Centres contributing towards the whakakaupapa project?
• How much External Funding has been sought for the whakakaupapa project?
• How much does the Centre have in their bank account that could be used towards the project? Financial Spotlight Reporting will be produced by Property Team as well as information from the Project Funding Application being assessed. Please ensure this information is correct.
• What ability does the Centre have to fund the whakakaupapa project by other means?
• What funding has the Centre previously received in the past?

Characteristics & Viability of the Playcentre:

• What is the ownership/lease model of the Centre?
• What responsibilities does the landlord have in the upkeep/maintenance/capital expenditure on the building?
• What are the current roll numbers/number of weekly sessions/etc. of the Playcentre?

Regulatory references

• Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, 45, 46 and 47
• Licensing Criterion PF1-38, HS1, HS4, HS5, HS6, HS7, HS8, HS12, GMA6
• Health & Safety at Work Act 2015
• NZ Safety Standards for Playgrounds NZS5825:2016
• Smoke Free Environments Act 1990
• Children’s Act 2014
• NZ Building Code 1992
• NZ Safety Standards (including for Playgrounds NZS5825)
• Fire Service Act 1975

Disabled Person in Community Welfare Act 1979

Other related references

• Centre/Workplace Emergency Plans*
• Hazard and Risk Register*
• Centre current approved Fire Evacuation Scheme (on file)
• Centre current First Aid certificates (on file)
• Poisons Centre: 0800 Poison