Overview#

Contributing primary schools and kura with students in Years 0 to 6 participating in the Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches programme receive a nutritious meal each school day to support learning and to thrive in education.

These schools and kura will remain on the current model in 2024 to 2025 and transition to the cost-efficient delivery model from Term 1, 2026. This change was outlined in the 30 September 2024 Cabinet Paper. You can download this below.

Transition to the cost-efficient model – Term 1, 2026#

Contributing primary schools and kura will, where possible, remain on the same delivery model as in 2025. The delivery models include:

• external model where meals are supplied by an external provider
• internal model where meals are prepared onsite in school kitchens
• iwi and hapū model where local iwi or hapū meal providers deliver meals to nearby schools and kura.

Current supplier agreements end on 24 December 2025.

If a supplier or meal provider is unable to continue in 2025, we will work with your school to identify a new supplier for the remainder of the school year.

Internal and iwi and hapū models#

Internal model schools and iwi and hapū providers will transition to the cost-effective model and the $4 per meal, per student price point from Term 1, 2026. This is outlined in 2025 to 2026 partnership and outcome agreements.

Support will be provided to schools and meal providers transitioning to the cost-efficient model.

A sample of a nutritious and cost-effective menu can be viewed below.

Cost effective menu and recipes – Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy Lunches Programme

External model schools#

A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be published on the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) website from 22 July 2025.

Current tenders – GETS

All existing and new suppliers are invited to submit an application to deliver meals to around 196 contributing primary schools on the external model.

The procurement process will be open, robust, and transparent. Funding is set at $3 per meal, per student and the contract term will be for 1 year, from 1 January to 24 December 2026.

Timeline#

The expected procurement timeline is:

• RFP released on GETS – 22 July 2025.
• 10 am RFP closes – 21 August 2025.
• Evaluation – 22 August to 9 September 2025.
• Supplier recommendation(s) announced – late October 2025.
• Start in Term 1, 2026 – from 26 January 2026.