Victoria University of Wellington researchers say almost one in seven young Māori women have missed school because they couldn't afford menstrual products.
Terry Fleming from the university's health faculty says so-called period poverty leading to lack of access to menstrual products can also cause infections and health problems, as well as embarrassment and shame.
She says the significant number of teenagers are missing school because of period poverty is contributing to inequity in New Zealand.
The solution is improving access to menstrual products or working to reduce poverty as a whole.
Dr Fleming says the Scottish government has introduced free menstrual products in all schools, and 84 percent of students said this programme had a positive impact for them.
The research is part of the Youth19 survey, which aims to collect data on a range of issues affecting New Zealand youth.
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