Labour promises to reinstate school lunch programme and rural bus routes

Labour has announced plans to return to a locally made school lunch model from term one 2028 if elected. The programme would continue to serve 244,400 students across 1,014 schools. Meals would be produced in school kitchens, by local caterers, or through iwi and hapū partners.

Under the proposed plan, lunches would cost $5 per meal, increasing to $6.50 for students in Years 9 to 13. Funding for the programme is projected at $146.2 million for the 2027/28 fiscal year, $295.4 million for 2028/29, and $149.2 million for 2029/30.

The party's cost-of-living action plan also includes a commitment to restore rural school bus routes. If a cancelled route cannot be restored, Labour says it will work with local councils and rural communities to find alternatives.

Leader Chris Hipkins also revealed he had privately supported campaigning on a capital gains tax before the 2020 election, though then-PM Jacinda Ardern ruled it out. He stated, "Internally, I was in favour of campaigning on a CGT in 2020".

Where reports differ

• One report notes the current government has committed $212m to extend the Healthy School Lunches programme for another year

Compiled from reports by 1News, Otago Daily Times, Waikato Times and NZ Herald.