Health Coalition Aotearoa says Budget 2026 has failed to provide long-term certainty for one of the country’s most important child wellbeing programmes, warning thousands of tamariki will continue to face food insecurity without permanent funding for Ka Ora, Ka Ako – the Healthy School Lunch Programme.
The coalition has welcomed the Government’s decision to allocate $212.4 million to extend school and early childhood education lunch programmes for another year, but says the short-term funding commitment falls well short of what is needed to address persistent child poverty and food hardship.
The criticism comes as the latest Child Poverty Report, released alongside Budget 2026, shows no improvement in the number of children living in material hardship, with the rate remaining at 14.3 percent.
Health Coalition Aotearoa co-chair Professor Boyd Swinburn says the figures indicate New Zealand is not on track to meet legislated child poverty reduction targets and that stronger action is urgently required.
The coalition is calling for a permanent, legislatively protected version of the Healthy School Lunch Programme that combines the strengths of the original Ka Ora, Ka Ako model with improvements from the current lower-cost approach.
Supporters argue long-term funding certainty would allow schools, communities, and food providers to invest in better systems, improve quality, and build stronger local supply networks.
Health Coalition Aotearoa estimates that only around 40 percent of children living in food-insecure households currently receive free school lunches, leaving many vulnerable tamariki without access to regular nutritious meals during the school day.
The organisation says the programme remains one of the most effective tools available for improving food security, nutrition, educational engagement, and wellbeing outcomes for children.
However, uncertainty created by annual funding decisions is making it difficult for schools and providers to innovate or invest in improvements.
Some schools have expressed interest in linking food programmes with curriculum delivery, local food production, and community partnerships, while providers have identified opportunities to improve sustainability through upgraded equipment and regional composting initiatives.
The coalition says those opportunities are difficult to realise without long-term certainty.
Health Coalition Aotearoa co-chair Professor Lisa Te Morenga says extending the programme is positive but does not address ongoing concerns about meal quality, nutrition, and portion sizes.
The organisation argues many lunches are not adequately meeting the needs of growing tamariki and rangatahi, particularly in communities experiencing high levels of hardship.
Food insecurity remains a significant issue across Aotearoa, with rising grocery costs, housing pressures, and wider cost-of-living challenges placing increasing strain on family budgets.
Advocates say school lunch programmes are becoming even more important as more whānau struggle to provide nutritious meals consistently.
The coalition says some students continue relying heavily on school meals and, in some cases, are taking leftover food home to support wider household needs.
For Māori communities, where child poverty and food insecurity rates remain disproportionately high, the programme is seen as an important contributor to health equity and educational success.
Health Coalition Aotearoa says investing in quality nutrition for children should be viewed as an investment in the country’s future workforce, health outcomes, and social wellbeing.
The organisation is now calling on the Government to move beyond short-term extensions and commit to a permanent programme that provides certainty for schools, providers, and the tamariki who rely on it every day.
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