Back to school costs hit families hard
Teachers are bracing themselves for a tough start as vulnerable families struggle with back to school costs due to the fallout from Covid-19.
Low decile schools are sourcing cheaper uniforms and stationery and informing parents that there is food support at school.
“For the more than 800 schools we support, this is a particularly challenging time of year, only exacerbated by Covid-19,” said KidsCan chief executive officer Julie Chapman.
“Children don’t arrive ready to learn. Many are hungry, missing a uniform, shoes, and stationery. They’re upset that they don’t fit in."
Chapman said one social worker told the charity about a "really smart kid who was so embarrassed he didn't have the right uniform he just stopped coming to school."
Education was a child's way out of poverty, she said, "so we're doing all we can to help remove these barriers."
Research has shown the challenges children living in poverty face every day, Chapman said.
"Some start the day sleep deprived in an overcrowded home," she said.
"There's not enough food for breakfast or lunch, no money for the bus.
"They don't have adequate shoes or rain gear."
Some of the children wouldn't make it to school at all, she said.
Others would arrive wet, in dirty clothes, feeling embarrassed, stressed and exhausted, she said.
The Colmar Brunton research found that teachers were getting hit from all angles with the job consuming their time, effort and money as they took care of child welfare before they could teach, she said.
One teacher was paying for pens, copy books and snacks out of their own pocket.
A principal was having to buy togs and towels at second-hand shops so students could attend swimming lessons, she said.
KidsCan aims to raise $350 000 to help support families with back to school costs.
You can go to www.backtoschool.org.nz... to buy items for school children including hot meals, breakfast, fleece-lined jackets, and shoes.
KidsCan’s principal partner, Meridian Energy, is kicking off the campaign by donating 25,000 hot meals to help fuel kids throughout the day.
People can also sign up to support a child on an on-going basis for $30 a month.
Go to www.backtoschool.org.nz... for more information.
Have you parents been hit hard by the impacts of Covid-19?
Will you find it hard to afford school uniforms and stationery for your kids this year?
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Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
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21.5% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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68.1% Nah - not for me
Rubbish bins:
Recycle collection tomorrow so put your bins out in the morning, It is windy out there and your rubbish is blowing everywhere? Are you human with a brain or just ST- - -D?
By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
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