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The Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme is funded for 2025 and 2026. The programme from 2027 is to be considered by Cabinet in 2025.
Additional information, including the number of schools, students and suppliers in the programme is available below.
The funding rates for the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme are outlined below.
External model schools – The School Lunch Collective#
The School Lunch Collective is paid $3 per student, per 240g meal (excluding GST).
A separate service agreement with Compass Group NZ allocates 84 cents per student, per meal, for 2 additional food items for Year 9 and older students to meet the 300g meal requirement.
Internal and iwi and hapū delivery models#
Internal model schools and iwi and hapū providers are paid $4 per student, per meal (excluding GST).
Funding for contributing primary schools, specialist schools and Teen Parent Units for 2025#
We recalculated the lunch prices in Term 3, 2025 in line with the service agreements. The calculation has resulted in a 1.4% increase. This was driven by overall increases in the Food Price Index, Labour Cost Index and relevant categories of the Consumer Price Index.
These price points only apply to contributing primary schools (Years 0 to 6), specialist schools and Teen Parent Units.
Prices as at Term 3, 2025 are:
- Years 0 to 3 – $6.12
- Years 4 to 8 – $7.16
- Years 9 and over – $9.13.
Complex special dietary (CSD) funding#
Complex special diets are where a student requires a meal that is produced specifically to meet their own needs, rather one of the common dietary needs. This could be due to the complex nature or the severity of their condition.
Meal providers who receive CSD funding above the meal cost will continue to receive it. They will be able to access funding for any new students with complex special dietary needs in the same way they currently do.
