This week’s political fight has focused instead on a name change.
Cabinet papers obtained by media show ministers agreed in October to update the programme’s name from “Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches” to simply “Healthy School Lunches.” Associate Education Minister David Seymour said the change was about clarity: “People need to know what things are. That’s why we’re using an English name that everyone understands.”
The programme now feeds more than 240,000 students in over 1000 schools. After early “headwinds”, officials say the shift to a more cost-effective model is delivering “considerable improvements.”
Positive feedback doubled from 12.7% to 25.3% between Terms 1 and 2, while complaints fell by 88%. Forecasts show the scheme remains on track to deliver $130 million in annual savings, with Seymour claiming reforms have already been projected to save taxpayers “almost $300m”.
A report back to Cabinet ministers argued the original objectives were “no longer fit for purpose” and backed increased competition among providers to improve price negotiations and reduce risk.
Opposition parties have focused on the removal of the te reo Māori title. Green MP Teanau Tuiono labelled the move “racist” and “anti-Māori,” while Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime called it “petty” and described the wider scheme as a “flop” plagued by “botch-up after botch-up.”
Seymour dismissed the criticism, saying if opponents were “getting excited about minor administrative issues like this, they’ll be in opposition for a very long time.”
The Centrist is an online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
The programme now feeds more than 240,000 students in over 1000 schools. After early “headwinds”, officials say the shift to a more cost-effective model is delivering “considerable improvements.”
Positive feedback doubled from 12.7% to 25.3% between Terms 1 and 2, while complaints fell by 88%. Forecasts show the scheme remains on track to deliver $130 million in annual savings, with Seymour claiming reforms have already been projected to save taxpayers “almost $300m”.
A report back to Cabinet ministers argued the original objectives were “no longer fit for purpose” and backed increased competition among providers to improve price negotiations and reduce risk.
Opposition parties have focused on the removal of the te reo Māori title. Green MP Teanau Tuiono labelled the move “racist” and “anti-Māori,” while Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime called it “petty” and described the wider scheme as a “flop” plagued by “botch-up after botch-up.”
Seymour dismissed the criticism, saying if opponents were “getting excited about minor administrative issues like this, they’ll be in opposition for a very long time.”
Read more over at The NZ Herald
The Centrist is an online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
5 comments:
There is no way that the msm will say anything good about school lunches until Labour comes back into power and wastes public money again. It also shows how much they hate Seymour. But the more they criticize him the more likely I am to vote for him.
Is Willow-Jean Prime fit for purpose?
Better still, scrap the whole scheme and replace the Maori slogan with "Te kawenga a nga matua" - 'parental responsibility' (courtesy of the Google translator).
What happens over the school holidays? These kids must arrive back at school completely malnourished.
As a parent of two, I believe it is my responsibility to make sure my children are fed, not only lunch, but every meal plus a few snacks! After all, they are growing through their formative years. Costs us a lot, and we definitely aren't high income earners, but we prioritise our children's health, wellbeing and education. I'm beginning to wonder if we are the exception to the norm, and maybe we should give up our jobs? We are sick of 'propping up' a lot of people who don't want to support their families, let alone work for a living! Between us, we could probably 'make' more on the dole than we earn, unfortunately we have morals and ethics. I'm truly trying to figure out when and where New Zealand went so horribly wrong?! Such a proud nation brought to its knees, and nobody is 'winning ' out of it!!!
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