Back to school 2025: Charity sees rise in aid requests as parents struggle with costs

Parents are turning to charities more as they struggle with the rising cost of uniforms and school supplies before schools reopen on February 3. Yolisa Tswanya reports.

A children’s charity says the number of parents seeking help in paying for school uniforms and supplies has risen exponentially.

Variety – the Children’s Charity chief executive Susan Glasgow says uniforms make up 10% of claims to it for assistance, which was $313,000 in funding last year.

“January is definitely one of our most busy months because struggling parents who’ve navigated the cost of Christmas and school holidays are now faced with often huge bills for uniforms and stationery that they simply can’t afford,” said Glasgow.

With schools reopening on February 3, getting school supplies and uniforms has been on the agenda of many parents and students across Northland. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya

Northland mum Joanna said not being able to provide the necessary things for her two daughters was devastating and embarrassing.

“Asking for help and support for my girls from family and friends is always a tough task but asking complete strangers for support is almost a thousand times harder and a million times more embarrassing.”

She reached out to Variety for help.

“With the funding [from Variety] my daughters will be starting school this year with a new uniform, new shoes, bag, lunchbox, drink bottle and all their stationery like the rest of their classmates.”

Glasgow said the aftermath of the pandemic, together with the cost of living and growing unemployment, had had a huge impact on families.

Susan Glasgow says Variety has had numerous requests for help from parents struggling with the cost of school supplies and uniforms.

“All our parents worry about their children and want them to have a good education and to do well in life. That can be really hard to achieve when simple things like what they wear at school, if they can go to camp or if they have all the stationery on day one makes such a lasting impact.”

Glasgow said there was a need in every region.

While some supply prices have gone up, Bethells Uniforms manager Michelle Batty, based in Whangārei, said her prices had stayed the same.

“I am mindful of the economic pressures parents face … We manufacture a lot of our uniforms locally and that also keeps costs down.”

Bethells Uniforms in Whangārei is one of the go-to shops for parents and students as they prepare for the start of the school year. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya

Batty said Northland schools were generally more open-minded when it came to uniforms. Many schools offered options that helped parents save on costs.

“Our schools have more options, other regions are more traditional and parents would have to buy the whole uniform, whereas here kids have a choice and parents don’t need to buy all the items.”

Ministry of Education acting hautū (leader) for operations and integration Julia Hardacre acknowledged back-to-school costs could be a struggle for some families.

“It’s important that there are no barriers to accessing education, including the cost of uniforms.

“We know many schools are conscious of the costs and actively seek ways to minimise these costs and they support parents in a number of ways.”

Hardacre said school boards were free to make school rules around a range of matters including uniforms.

“We expect that when schools are considering uniform options, they consult with their parent community before making decisions.

“It is also our expectation that schools should not make significant profits from the sale of school uniforms.”

Hardacre said parents could raise concerns with their school board or seek advice on the ministry’s website, which has information on financial assistance.

Anglican Care Centre budget adviser co-ordinator/community educator Dianne Harris said parents visited them for advice on affording school essentials.

She suggested parents prepare in advance and they could start a separate bank account for school supplies and set aside $5.

“The thing with school costs is they are always going to happen – just like Christmas – so being prepared well in advance to avoid stress is a good plan.”

Harris said schools were often understanding and encouraged parents to seek assistance.

Whangarei Anglican Care Centre budgeting co-ordinator Dianne Harris suggested that parents prepare in advance for school uniforms and supplies. Photo / NZME

“I know it is hard to tell people when things are tough, but being honest can help towards a situation being sorted out and an arrangement made.

”Talk to the school if you haven’t got the funds to get the Chromebook or some of the stationery; let them know of your situation rather than struggling.”

Hugo Moffett, a teen entrepreneur from Hawke’s Bay, is doing his part in trying to help parents and students have access to cheaper school uniforms.

Hugo Moffett created the New Zealand School Uniform website to help families with the cost of living. Photo / Paul Taylor

Last year he started the website, getuniformed.com, which connects students and parents to second-hand uniforms.

Moffett said traffic on the website has increased this month as students are preparing to return to school next month.

“There are heaps of listings from all over the country, it’s good to see people are using the site because many people find it hard.

“Some people have said they have had to cut down on necessities to get school uniforms.”

Moffett said more than 3000 items have been bought this month and predicted it could get busier.

“I am mainly selling shirts, jerseys and pants. There have been a few ties and blazers, which sold for $50, new they go for around $300.”

Glasgow said families needing assistance should apply for Variety’s Kiwi Kid Sponsorship, which will reopen in mid-February.

“Families can also apply for individual grants for items such as uniforms, digital devices and extracurricular activities.”