PREPARING: Bethany Patten, 18, left, Jordan Gates, Hannah Dare, Nicole Morgan,Murphy Cater, Walter Barber, Shannon Le Gros, all 17, and teacher aide Reta Glengarry. PHOTOS/LYNDAFERINGA
Lunchtime was a bit different at Kuranui College yesterday.
Student leaders co-ordinated a massive free lunch as part of a mufti day fundraiser for its 500 students.
In just a week, they organised the fundraiser to "feed the kids" and secured sponsors to donate food.
By paying a $1 to wear mufti, students received the free lunch.
Head girl Bethany Patten said the money raised will go back into something for the school but it was about more than that.
"We are bringing something positive to the school and building school morale."
She said they hadn't decided what to use the money for yet and a leaders' meeting would be held to decide this.
Fresh Choice, Scotty's Meats, Pain and Kershaw, and Pinehaven Orchards all donated food for the lunches.
Teacher aide and breakfast co-ordinator Reta Glengarry said Fresh Choice was also one of their main sponsors for their free breakfast programme.
It has been running successfully for a year, she said.
"It's just growing and growing all the time, it's something our school can be proud of."
Ms Glengarry said she hoped programmes would be rolled out in secondary schools nationwide as the focus has been on primary schools.
"There are always kids out there who need something."
Jones said it was 'disgraceful’ non-Māori couldn’t speak at the tangi.