Labour says its school lunches would be made on-site, cover all 244,400 students already involved
The New Zealand Labour Party has pledged to reinstate and expand a school lunch programme by 2028 if elected, focusing on on-site meal preparation. The plan includes specific funding allocations and partnerships with local iwi and caterers.
Why it matters
The policy debate over school nutrition programmes reflects broader political priorities regarding child welfare and cost-of-living support in New Zealand.
Labour has confirmed more details of its plan to reinstate the former school lunch programme from Term 1 2028, if elected.
The party has released a cost of living action plan, tying a bow on the cost of living policy blitz it's been conducting in recent weeks.
While mostly a re-cap of already-announced policies like the three free GP visits , public transport fare caps, and student debt cut, there are two new policies on the list.
The document said the lunches would continue to cover 244,400 students in the 1014 schools already included. Lunches would be $5 a meal, and $6.50 for students in years 9 to 13.
The lunches would be made in school kitchens, by iwi and hapū partners or by local caterers.
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