Some of the challenges when looking at investing in new or replacement technology is understanding the actual costs. Multiply that by the number of spaces and sometimes the actual number can be way off the mark. These are real price ranges, based on what we actually install in NZ schools, to give you a meaningful starting point for budget planning. Actual numbers will always depend on the type of solution needed.
A few caveats before we start: prices vary by brand, room setup, site access, and whether electrical work is needed. Use these as planning figures, not quotes. If you need a quote for your specific school, get in touch.
Interactive panels
Price varies by brand and tier. All pricing below is based on the 65" model, which is the most popular size for NZ classrooms. Larger sizes will increase the price accordingly.
| Panel (65") | Price range (NZD, ex GST) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| BenQ Board Essential / Promethean ActivPanel LE | $3,500 - $5,000 | Budget-conscious schools — fully featured |
| BenQ Board Master / Pro | $4,500 - $7,500 | Great mid-range with wireless feature set |
| ViewSonic 51 Series | $4,500 - $5,500 | Built around ViewBoard Whiteboard, feature rich |
| Promethean ActivPanel 10 | $4,500 - $6,500 | Fully modular — best in any and every classroom |
| Newline Elara Pro | $4,500 - $5,500 | Strong wireless capability via Air Server |
All prices are indicative and ex GST. Ask for an itemised quote for your specific model and size.
Installation
This is the part of the budget that surprises schools most. A panel on a wall isn't just a panel on a wall. It needs to be positioned correctly for the room, cabled cleanly, connected to your network if needed, and tested before the installation team leaves.
| Item | Typical cost (NZD, ex GST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wall mount (heavy-duty, tiltable) | $250 - $450 | Use a quality mount, cheap mounts fail |
| Installation labour | $450 - $900 | Includes unboxing, mounting, cabling |
| Cable management | Included above | In-wall or surface conduit |
| Electrical work (if needed) | $300 - $800 | New circuit or GPO relocation |
| Network point (if needed) | $150 - $350 | Wired connection recommended for panels |
| Total installation (typical) | $800 - $1,800 | Per room, depending on site complexity |
Rooms with existing infrastructure (power point in the right place, network point available) are faster and cheaper to install. Older buildings or rooms needing structural work can push the install cost higher.
Teacher training
Training is the most underbudgeted line item in almost every school AV project. It's also the one that determines whether the investment pays off.
| Format | Typical cost (NZD, ex GST) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day group session (up to 12 staff) | $600 - $900 | Initial onboarding for a new rollout |
| Full-day group session (up to 12 staff) | $1,000 - $1,500 | Deep training including curriculum integration |
| Follow-up session (3 months post-install) | $500 - $750 | Answers questions that come up after real use |
| Per-teacher PLD (individual coaching) | $150 - $250 per hour | Targeted support for specific kaiako |
We strongly recommend budgeting for at least two training sessions per classroom cohort: one at installation and one three months later. The follow-up session is where the real learning happens, teachers have questions they didn't know to ask on day one.
Projectors (for comparison)
If you're deciding between upgrading projectors versus moving to interactive panels, here's an honest cost comparison.
| Item | Typical cost (NZD, ex GST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom projector (mid-range) | $1,500 - $3,500 | Epson, Optoma, Panasonic |
| Projector installation | $400 - $800 | Ceiling mount, cabling |
| Projector screen (motorised) | $600 - $1,200 | If not already installed |
| Replacement bulb | $200 - $400 | Every 3-5 years (3,000-5,000 hours) |
| Total upfront (per room) | $2,500 - $5,500 | Without screen if already installed |
The upfront saving on a projector is real, typically $4,000 to $8,000 per room versus a panel. But factor in bulb replacements over 10 years and the projector's total cost of ownership is significantly higher than the purchase price suggests. And that's before accounting for lost teaching time, visibility problems in bright rooms, and the lack of interactive capability.
Budget scenarios by school type
Here's how we typically help schools think about phased rollouts:
Single classroom upgrade
One 65" panel (Promethean ActivPanel LE or BenQ Board Essential), wall mount, installation, and onsite PLD. A solid starting point — install in one room, learn from the experience, then expand.
Small school rollout (8-12 classrooms)
Phased over 1-2 years. 65" panels throughout, professional installation, training sessions per cohort. Economies of scale apply on both hardware and installation.
Specialist spaces (library, staffroom, hall)
Wide range depending on display size and requirements. A 65" display for a staffroom is a very different brief to a 98" display for a school hall.
What people forget to budget for
After years of doing this, these are the costs that catch schools off guard:
- Electrical work. If the room's power points aren't in the right place, or if the panel needs a dedicated circuit, an electrician is involved. Budget $300 to $800 per room if you're not sure.
- Network connectivity. Panels work best when wired to your network rather than on Wi-Fi. If there's no network point near the display wall, budget for one.
- Removal and disposal of old equipment. Taking down an old projector and screen and disposing of it properly has a cost. Not huge, but real.
- The follow-up training session. Most schools budget for day-one training and forget the follow-up. The follow-up is where adoption actually happens.
- Software licences. Most classroom panel software is free or included, but some schools want premium features or specific integrations that carry a cost. Check before you buy.
"Budget for the training the same way you budget for the hardware. It's not a nice-to-have, it's what determines whether the investment pays off."
David's take
The schools that get the best value from their AV investment are the ones that plan the full picture, hardware, installation, training, and follow-up. The schools that struggle are usually the ones that found a cheap panel online and fitted it themselves. The panel is the easy part. Getting teachers to use it confidently is the work. If you want help thinking through a budget for your specific school, I'm happy to talk it through.
Once you have a budget in mind, read our interactive panel comparison to understand which brand makes sense for your school.
