Youth Affairs Minister Laila Harre wants more schools to consider making condoms available to students.
Ms Harre said the issue would be studied as part of the Government's development of a national sexual health and reproductive strategy.
"I think there are very strong arguments for ensuring that young people have access to condoms and I think it would be irresponsible of us not to consider making condoms available to young people where they are, and one place where they are is schools."
Ms Harre said the concept was not new but she anticipated opposition from some schools.
She is also likely to face disagreement from Health Minister Annette King, who does not favour condoms in schools because of parent opposition.
Ms Harre's call comes as the Government moves to provide more sexual health services to high-risk groups and low-income people in a bid to rein in soaring rates of sexually transmitted infections.
The number of confirmed cases of gonorrhoea leapt by 42 per cent from 1996 to 1999, according to Government statistics. Chlamydia cases rose by 40 per cent.
Maori and Pacific people are suffering disproportionately high levels of those diseases, says the Institute of Environmental Science and Research report containing the figures.
It also states the overall incidence of sexually transmitted illnesses in young people is disproportionately high.
The Health Funding Authority is negotiating with the Family Planning Association to fully subsidise its sexual and reproductive health services for people under 25, and those over 25 with community services cards. Those over 25 without cards would pay more.
Sexual health call for schools
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