The most telling and amusing line in Rangitikei College's press release announcing it was going "fees free" for Year 9s was the one that said the families of those students "will not have to pay any voluntary school fees".
Of course, that's what voluntary means.
We like to think we get a free education in this country, as the Ministry of Education website says: "Your child's education is free between the ages of 5 and 19 at state schools."
Which is true in one sense, but that's not the practical reality for many.
Most schools around the country strongly suggest families pay a donation.