Labour launches lunch petition in face of funding fall
Potential funding cuts to a free lunch programme that feeds over 200,000 tamariki has prompted a petition from Labour, calling on Government to commit to kids.
Associate Education Minister David Seymour recently confirmed he was looking to cut funding to Ka Ora, Ka Ako, the scheme that provides a million free school lunches each week. Supporters say it saves families money, but a 2023 Treasury report found about 12% of meals were left over.
David Seymour’s announcement raised concerns from children, principals and charities who feared attendance and performance would fall. The programme, created by Labour in 2019, was allocated over $300 million in Budget 2023 and aids about 1000 schools.
Labour has since stressed the importance of Ka Ora, Ka Ako and created a petition to commit National to “keeping free and healthy lunches in schools”. “Teachers and principals I speak to are clear on the benefits of this programme. They see the difference in kids when their tummies are full after lunch,” Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.
“ACT’s cold argument that it’s not worth it without more data ignores the simple fact that every child deserves lunch, regardless of where they live or go to school.
“You can’t measure the value of a child having enough to eat.”
The programme currently saves a family $33 per child weekly, up to $1250 per child annually, creates jobs and targets those who need it most, she said. “That’s why Labour has launched a campaign to save school lunches, because even a programme that puts food in kids’ tummies and saves working people money is at risk with David Seymour and Christopher Luxon in charge.”
Chisnallwood Intermediate School principal Justin Fields said was “delighted” to see the push back and “100% supporting that”.
“The opposition’s role is to hold the Government to account at the end of the day ... hopefully they see the benefit of [keeping it].”
Yesterday Fields reflected on the importance of the programme, noting it had majorly improved Chisnallwood’s student attendance and test results.
Chisnallwood students like Ryder in year 12 had talked of struggling to learn before the programme “because my brain just got like, ‘oh, I’m so hungry’”, and a massive energy boost afterwards.
Save the Children New Zealand has called for continued investment in the “crucial policy”, while Health Coalition New Zealand wants the programme doubled.
As of 8pm last night more than 8700 people had signed Labour’s petition.