Network for Learning (N4L) has completed nearly a third of Managed Network Upgrades. So far, 750 schools have access to next-generation internet infrastructure.

The upgrade involves replacing school firewalls before they reach end-of-life, and switching to a new internet connection. All schools are scheduled to complete the upgrade before mid-2026.

Last year, Palo Alto Networks Ltd and 2degrees Mobile Ltd (2degrees) were awarded the long-term contracts as partners in delivering the upgrade.

Wellington’s Island Bay School, a primary school with 340 students on its roll, is one of the schools to have been upgraded. Principal Deborah Fenton says the process was quick and easy, with little or no disruption to school operations.

“On the day, there was very little impact on us, so N4L did a really good job,” she said. “The upgrade happened in a single afternoon. N4L knew the times of day we needed to do important things, so they were able to flex to our needs and choose the most insignificant time of the school day to do it.”

Read more about the upgrade at n4l.co.nz/connect/managed-network-upgrade/

INTERFACE August 2025