Reform made ‘biggest waiting list’ in 6 years

UP to 10,000 more hungry children under the age of 5 will become eligible for free lunches under the government’s revised lunches in schools programme, creating the ‘‘biggest waiting list’’ since 2018.

With $480 million in funding set aside until a full redesign of the scheme at the end of 2026, the government’s changes mean 10,000 preschoolers would be funded from next year.

The Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme — which feeds about 230,000 pupils a day at just under 1000 schools around the country — was up for review as part of this month’s Budget. Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced on Wednesday that primary pupils already receiving free lunches would continue to do so in the same way for the next two and ahalf years, while funding for high school meals would drop from more than $8 to $3, freeing up money to extend the scheme to preschools.

Charity KidsCan has been providing free food to early childhood educators in 205 centres nationwide since 2018.

But chief executive and founder Julie Chapman said another 150 centres — more than 5000 children — were sitting on the waiting list, and it would be nice to see that reduced with help from the government.

‘‘We have the biggest waiting list that we have had since 2018 right now, and in particular, in the early childhood space.’’ Mr Seymour told reporters at Parliament on Wednesday the evidence showed investing in nutrition at an early age had the greatest effect.

Mrs Chapman agreed.

‘‘All the evidence points to early investment in children, especially for those first 1000 days, really does set them up for life, and part of that is really good nutrition.’’

Nga Taonga Aroha early childhood centre in Otara was on the list of centres receiving KidsCan meals, and manager EmmaJane Jones had seen the difference a meal could make to young learners.

‘‘Being able to interact with their peers, manage their behaviour better, be able to concentrate.’’

Meanwhile, high school teachers were concerned $3 a meal would not be enough, and others worried a shift from hot meals to sandwiches and fruit would reduce the meals’ positive effect on attendance.

Porirua College provided hot meals to four schools, including their own, totalling 1000 pupils. Deputy principal John Topp said the lunches boosted attendance, and allowed pupils to sit down and bond over a meal. He worried the switch from hot lunches to sandwiches would make lunchtime less appealing and affect attendance.