All young people attending school are to have access to free period products, thanks to a Government initiative.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti recently announced that from June this year, all primary, intermediate, secondary school and kura students will have access to free period products.

The announcement follows the successful Access to Period Products pilot programme, which has been running since Term 3 last year in 15 schools and kura in the Waikato region.

“Young people should not miss out on their education because of something that is a normal part of life for half the population,” said Jacinda Ardern.

“Removing barriers to healthy, active, educational outcomes for children and young people is an important part of the Government’s Youth and Wellbeing Strategy.”

Around 3,200 young people were provided with period products during the pilot programme.

Minister Tinetti said issues with periods at school included embarrassment, stigma, missing classes, being ‘caught out’ without product, cost, lack of knowledge and discomfort.

“Feedback from the pilot noted that providing choice was important, both in types of products and the way they are accessed. Students also said they wanted information about periods, period products, and other practical elements of managing their period such as tracking and knowing when and who to reach out to for assistance.”

Speaking at Fairfield College in Hamilton, one of the schools which took part in the pilot, Jacinda Ardern said feedback from the students was that period products should be made available for all who need them, when they need them.

“The positive response from schools and students to the pilot has encouraged us to expand the initiative to all New Zealand schools and kura,” said Jacinda Ardern.

The Ministry of Education is now working with suppliers to manage a phased roll out of the scheme, with period products available towards the end of Term 2 for schools and kura that opt-in by March of this year. Those schools and kura that do not initially choose to take up the initiative will continue to be able to opt-in to the initiative at a later date.

Dunstan High School principal Reece Goldsmith confirmed the school has opted in to the scheme.

“Like all schools, we have families who find things tough financially, so where an opportunity arises that may support members of our school community, I am unsure why we would not opt in. 

“Student wellbeing is a priority for us.”

Roxburgh Area School principal Paul McDowall agrees.

“Whilst we await details of the scheme we are supportive of this move by the government. 

“We are aware that many families, including those at Roxburgh Area School, face financial challenges and any initiative that helps is a good start. 

“We aim for engaged and happy students who thrive whilst being at school and anything that makes it easier for students to access an education has our support.”

Jacinda Ardern says providing free period products at school is one way the Government can directly address poverty, help increase school attendance, and make a positive impact on children’s wellbeing.

“We want to see improved engagement, learning and behaviour, fewer young people missing school because of their period, and reduced financial hardship amongst families of participating students.”

Minister Tinetti added, “The free period products in school’s initiative is the latest in a series of Government programmes to reduce barriers to education for all students and their whānau. Others in the series include healthy free school lunches, the abolition of exam fees, and the replacement of school donations.”

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