Ka Ora, Ka Ako (Free School Lunches): Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to find out if your child is eligible for free, nutritious school lunches through the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme.
Ka Ora, Ka Ako is a government programme that provides free, nutritious meals to students during the school day.
Who it's for
This scheme is specifically designed for students attending selected schools. Eligibility is determined by the Ministry of Education based on schools having high socio-economic barriers. If your school has been identified as meeting these specific criteria, the students within that school community may be eligible to participate.
What you get
The primary benefit of this programme is the provision of one free, nutritious lunch every school day. These meals are intended to ensure that students have the necessary nutrition to support their health and their ability to focus on their learning throughout the school day.
What it costs you
There is no cost to you for this service. The programme is provided at no expense to the families of the students who qualify.
The catch to know
The most important thing to understand is that this is not a universal programme available to every student in New Zealand. It is only available at specific, selected schools. Because eligibility is based on the specific school's circumstances rather than individual household applications, you must check with your child's school to see if they are currently enrolled in the programme.
How to apply
- Contact your child's school administration directly to ask if they are an enrolled participant in the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme.
- If the school does participate, ask the school staff about any specific steps required to ensure your child is included in the meal service.
- Discuss any specific dietary requirements or needs with the school to ensure the meals provided are suitable for your child.