Labour Party Pledges School Lunch and Uniform Cost Cuts

The New Zealand Labour Party has unveiled a Cost of Living Action Plan focused on reducing education expenses and restoring social services if elected. The party pledges to reinstate a healthy school lunch programme by Term 1 2028, providing meals for 244,400 students across 1,014 schools. These meals would be sourced from school kitchens, local caterers, or iwi and hapū partners, with costs ranging from $5 to $6.50 per meal depending on the student's year level.

In Palmerston North, party leader Chris Hipkins and education spokeswoman Ginny Andersen introduced a policy to limit the number of compulsory branded school uniform items. The plan would require schools to accept affordable, non-branded alternatives and mandate the tracking and publication of uniform costs to ensure transparency. This position aligns with a previous proposal from ACT New Zealand to cap branded items at three for state schools.

Labour also intends to restore 43 rural school bus routes previously cancelled by the National government. These education initiatives are part of a broader economic platform that includes a three-year fuel tax freeze, capped public transport fares, a 10% reduction in student debt, and three free GP visits per year via a new Medicard. While the Green Party also seeks to expand school lunches, the current government has provided $212 million to extend the Healthy School Lunches programme for one year.