“It underscores the importance of ensuring that all students have consistent access to nutritious meals to support their overall growth and success,” said Ms Julies.
“It is really disappointing that the government is even considering taking away such a life-changing opportunity.”
Ms Julies has seen the impacts the free lunches have had on the students, staff and whānau of the school.
“It makes me feel relieved to know that their basic needs are met,” she said.
“It’s an awareness and reminder of the inequalities that exist within our community and the barriers some students may encounter in accessing basic necessities.
“However, it also reinforces the importance of providing support and resources to ensure that students have equal opportunities to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
“It motivates me to advocate for initiatives that address food insecurity and support the overall wellbeing of our students and their whānau,” she said.
When Ka Ora Ka Ako was in the planning stages, representatives came to Tairāwhiti and spoke with Eat Smart Tairāwhiti, formerly known as Gizzy School Lunches. This was a charitable trust that worked to provide lunches in schools. The volunteers established the programme after becoming aware of a need, and wanting to help meet that need.
Eat Smart Tairāwhiti was disestablished when the Government introduced Ka Ora Ka Ako.
Cherith Whitley was the manager of Eat Smart Tairāwhiti and in that role, and as a mother, she is concerned about what could happen with the lunches.
“Food insecurity for a large number of our tamariki is a real thing. It is one more thing that impacts access and responsiveness to learning,” she said.
“I understand the financial ramifications for both the taxpayer and families benefiting from the school lunch programme, and ideally would love to see the programme continue.
“I do think it is important to regularly review, to ensure the children who need the kai most are receiving it and the model is having positive outcomes.
“This seems the logical response with the money being invested, and from what we saw at Eat Smart/GSL the lunches were meeting outcome expectations.”
She wants to hear more from the teachers, schools and tamariki who are a part of the programme.
“It’s easy to look at this issue through a lens that focuses on assumptions and dollar signs. I’d love to focus on the importance of community, connection and people.”
Associate minister of education David Seymour, said the coalition Government was looking at evidence and improving the cost effectiveness of the taxpayer-funded school lunches programme after the previous Government left it funded only to the end of this year.
He said they are looking at the evidence and feedback they get from the community in order to make a decision “that balances the country’s books and the expectations people have around the taxpayer-funded school lunch programme”.
“This is under consideration as part of the upcoming Budget and I look forward to announcing a programme that delivers for students and taxpayers.
“It’s worth noting for those who say we shouldn’t be making savings that the success of the programme isn’t going to be defined by the number of taxpayers’ dollars spent.
“Success will ultimately be defined by whether kids are getting to school and learning and taxpayers are getting value for their money,” Seymour said.
Cherith Whitley said if Eat Smart Tairāwhiti did start again it would be under a different model as the organisation is no longer active as a charitable trust.
“It would take another combined effort by the community for someone to start driving it under a different banner.”
