Monitoring and reporting framework#

We monitor service levels and programme performance to allow operational oversight and continuous improvement.

Agreements in place with internal model schools and kura, iwi and hapū meal providers and external suppliers include a robust reporting framework, which includes formal monitoring meetings, performance indicators, engagement, including end-of-term surveys and student-focused feedback, reporting requirements and participation in strategic and operational discussions.

Programme performance#

We receive data to monitor and report on the programme performance. This includes:

• External model suppliers – they provide data on daily meal numbers, delivery in full and on time (DIFOT), surplus levels, and termly menu details (this excludes iwi | hapū and specialist schools).
• Schools and kura – they report on food safety incidents, rolls and general feedback.
• School termly survey – this captures the voice of the school, including programme ratings, benefits, lunch waste, general feedback and supplier data validation. School survey responses average around 50%.

Reported results#

Schools are reporting the programme is making a positive difference for students by reducing hunger and supporting wellbeing, attendance, engagement and learning.

Under each of the headings below are the reported results in the 2025 school year, compared with progress in 2026. 

Cost efficiencies compared to Budget 2023#

• Target – $107 million.
• 2025 full year – $130m.
• 2026 full year – $120m (based on actuals from Term 1, 2026 and forecast for remainder of the year).

Total meals delivered#

• Target – lunches to eligible schools.
• 2025 full year – 35,957,253.
• 2026 Term 1 only – 9,770,820.

Percentage of schools that receive lunch in full, on time from external suppliers (excluding specialist schools)#

• Target – 98%.
• 2025 full year – 99.3%.
• 2026 Term 1 only – 99.1%.

School programme survey rating#

• Target – 4.
• 2025 full year – 3.87 rating.
• 2026 Term 1 only – 3.76 rating.

Surplus – untouched meals returned to external suppliers#

• Target – less than 10%+.
• 2025 full year – 10.39%.
• 2026 Term 1 only – 15.06%.

Key programme focus areas#

Our key focus areas are:

• menu innovation to continuously improve meals, so students love them
• working with suppliers and schools to reduce high surplus
• continue to invest funds in continuous improvement and innovation.

External supplier waste management overview#

This data was gathered from termly supplier and school surveys and supplier waste management plans for the external delivery model.

Thank you to everyone who completed these forms, they play a key role in continuous improvement of the programme. Understanding what waste is created and where it’s going is an important step to minimise waste.

The overview is for the July 2024 to June 2025 period.

Evaluations of the programme#

From 2022 to 2024, we commissioned independent evaluations of the programme and a technical evaluation report. The evaluations aimed to help us understand:

• the impacts of the programme on learners of different age groups
• the nutritional value of the lunches.

Evaluation findings included identifiable shifts in engagement in education and wellbeing, as well as wider societal impacts from the programme.

Programme evaluation#

Nutrition evaluation#

Nutrient-level evaluation of meals provided on the Government-funded school lunch programme – MDPI

Kaupapa Māori evaluation#