The new school lunches have rolled out, with mixed reviews and bumpy deliveries. Reporter Frankie takes us from the factory to the schools for a tamariki taste test.
Associate Education Minister David Seymour reformed the programme last year, saying it would save taxpayer dollars.
The School Lunch Collective, led by British company Compass Group, supplies the lunches.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the Government’s school lunches programme is still experiencing “teething issues” and he expects David Seymour to give it his “full attention”.
“David Seymour will work his way through those issues – he’s the minister responsible for it and I expect he will [find a solution],” Luxon told media from Vietnam last night.
Luxon’s comments come as Seymour continues to face mounting pressure over the rollout of the initiative.
Since the programme was launched, there have been numerous complaints over the quality of the meals, the delivery schedule, the nutritional value and the variety of the food.
There have also been multiple instances where schools were forced to purchase replacement food – such as pizzas, pies and small containers of teriyaki chicken – because the meals have not been arriving on time at schools.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has now called on the Prime Minister to compel Seymour to address issues with the programme.
“If he can’t do that, then I think the Prime Minister should do something about it for him.”
His deputy, Carmel Sepuloni has called on Seymour to be sacked.
But Luxon said he won’t be doing that, adding that large parts of the programme are being delivered very well.
“He’s [Seymour] well aware of the challenges and working his way through what have been some teething issues up front.”
A butter chicken lunch from Lincoln Heights school (left) and a chicken teriyaki lunch at Massey Primary School. Photo / RNZ / Louise Ternouth
Luxon said he had spoken to Seymour about some of the issues last weekend, where the Associate Education Minister took him through how he’s working to fix the problems.
“He’s working to make sure there is more on-time performance, as well as better and full delivery of the programme and what it’s been contracted for.”
Asked if he’s confident it will turn around soon, Luxon said: “Absolutely”.
“David is giving it his full attention, and I expect him to do so.”
Meanwhile, Seymour has told RNZ that: “At some point, we need to have a reality check here. These are free meals being paid by the taxpayer, they are very good according to many of the people receiving them.”
When launching the scheme last year, the Act leader said the revised programme brought the cost of each meal down to $3 and would, on paper, save taxpayers over $130 million a year without sacrifices to quality and nutrition.
“There have been some challenges, which we have a track record of overcoming, and at some point, you’ve got to have reference to the other 75% of parents paying for their kids’ lunches.”
