A half-dozen Wairarapa primary schools are lapping up the Fonterra Milk for Schools scheme alongside more than 1100 other schools nationwide, says a Fonterra spokeswoman.
Carly Robinson said six Wairarapa schools have registered their interest in the nationwide programme, which will provide free milk to primary-aged children every school day.
More than half of the country's eligible schools, representing about 191,000 kids, have already signalled interest in the scheme. More than 110 schools are already participating in Northland.
In the North Island, 784 schools have expressed interest, representing around 143,000 children, and the South Island has attracted interest from 347 schools with about 47,000 pupils.
"Expressions of interest are still open and the programme is open to all schools with children aged Years 1-6, and the schools have plenty of time to get in touch," Ms Robinson said. "It's great to see such a strong appetite for Fonterra Milk for Schools throughout New Zealand and as the programme rolls out this will mean more Kiwi kids will get the chance to drink a healthy, nutritious product while they're at school each day. "Expressions of interest have come from a range of schools across all deciles from throughout the country."
Primary schools have been asked to register interest because the scheme was such a large undertaking the potential uptake first had to be gauged, she said.
Fonterra Milk for Schools starts in Southland towards the end of Term 1, with Christchurch coming online a few weeks later, she said.
"It's expected by the end of Term 1 next year all schools who want to take part in the programme will have access to milk every school day."
