Election 2026: Labour to limit compulsory school uniform items in rare alignment with Act
The New Zealand Labour Party has proposed a policy to limit compulsory branded school uniform items to reduce costs for families. The plan aims to allow for cheaper, non-branded alternatives and mandates government oversight of uniform pricing.
Why it matters
This policy addresses the rising cost of living and education expenses, highlighting a rare policy alignment between the Labour Party and the ACT party.
Labour intends to limit the number of compulsory school uniform items and allow families to buy cheaper, non-branded alternatives if elected.
This would stop schools from using uniforms to make profits and boost funding.
“There is no question that some schools are using the sale of uniforms as a fundraising activity,” Labour leader Chris Hipkins said.
“Education in New Zealand is supposed to be free. Schools shouldn’t be hiding additional costs to parents and basically making profits off school uniforms.”
The policy is almost identical to a policy Act announced in June, which also seeks to cap compulsory branded items and allow more generic options be worn.
Unveiled today by Hipkins and education spokeswoman Ginny Andersen in Palmerston North, Labour’s policy aims to lower the cost of purchasing school uniforms, which the party says can reach as high as $1000 for secondary school students.
Also covering this story
2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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