Health Coalition Aotearoa has presented a 26,000 signature petition to parliament urging the Government to retain the free school lunches programme.
Ākonga from six kura in Whanganui-ā-Tara joined the coalition in handing over the petition to Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti.
Coalition co-chair Lisa Te Morenga says it makes no sense for the Government to set attendance targets while making cuts to a programme which improved attendance.
There’s also a message for the Opposition.
“The school lunch programme has huge public support behind it, that it is really important. Keep an eye on the evidence that we’re putting out that shows it’s a really good investment, it’s value for money, and if they do have the opportunity to be back in Government to improve it, make it permanent, give it permanent funding and perhaps double it,” Professor Te Morunga says.
During the handover Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and the Greens’ Chloe Swarbrick also addressed ākonga from Taita College, Bishop Viard College, Porirua College, Naenae College, Arakura School, and Ngāti Toa School
The Labour Party own online petition to save school lunches and hasso far attracted 46,000 signatures.
Associate Education Minsiter David Seymour says there will be money for the programme in the May Budget, but he still intends to do a complete review.
