Children learn better with full tummies

We know from research that children's development and learning improve when they aren't hungry. We also know that some children in New Zealand don’t always get enough to eat.

Ka Ora, Ka Ako means students in the programme get a good, healthy lunch every day to help them learn.

Eating together as a school

The goal is for all students to share the same kai | food together. Every student in the school gets a meal, not just those who did not bring one. Sometimes students can be embarrassed if only some are given food. If everyone is treated the same, there is no stigma for those children.

Talk to your school if you do not want your child to participate.

Wider benefits

Some schools and kura use the healthy school lunch programme as a chance to learn about nutrition or sustainability. In some schools, students are involved in activities such as growing vegetables, making food or designing menus as part of their learning.

Success stories – Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches Programme

Who makes the lunches for Ka Ora, Ka Ako 

In the 2024 budget, the Government announced a change to funding for Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches Programme. Its aim is to deliver healthy school lunches every school day for less, under the 'alternate provision model'.

Secondary, intermediate, full primary (years 0-8) and composite schools (years 0–15) moved to the alternate provision model from term 1, 2025.  

Contributing primary schools with year 1–6 students will move to the new model from 2026.

There is no change to the price point for specialist schools and team parent units in 2025 and 2026.

The School Lunch Collective will receive $3 per meal, per student for external model schools they serve.

Internal model schools and iwi/hapū meal providers will receive $4 per meal, per student. This is slightly more than provided to the School Lunch Collective, to help with staff costs as they do not have same economies of scale.

Ka Ora, Ka Ako has a range of delivery models to meet the unique needs of schools and kura.

• The 'external model' is where a school | kura outsources. Lunches are provided by an external supplier, the School Lunch Collective.  
• The 'internal model ' is where a school | kura chooses to prepare and deliver lunches to students. Lunches are delivered to students in their own school, and can also be a meal provider to other schools in their region.  
• The 'Iwi and Hapū model' is where a school | kura receives meals from their local iwi or hapū provider.

Healthy, safe and nutritious meals

Lunch providers must follow the same safety standards as any other commercial food provider. They must provide safe options for all children including those with cultural, special and complex dietary requirements - for example, children who are vegetarian, vegan, coeliac, or eat according to religious beliefs, such as halal food.

The nutrition standards were developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health, schools, and nutrition stakeholders.  

Every meal is to meet the minimum weight and vegetable or salad requirements. Like a lot of parents cooking at home, sometimes those vegetables are hidden in the sauces to make the lunches more appealing to students. 

If your child has an allergy or special diet, let your school know.

The Ka Ora, Ka Ako portal has information about food standards and safety.

Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches Programme

What happens to extra food

To make sure there are always enough lunches for all students, sometimes there are lunches left over.

It is important that this food is always stored and reheated properly. The Ka Ora, Ka Ako web portal has guidelines about reheating food safely.

Managing surplus lunches safely – Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches Programme