As pupils head back to school Central families are juggling the cost of living crisis and costs for school uniforms, fees and stationery are mounting up.

One family The Central App spoke to, who wished to remain anonymous, said to kit out their year nine rangitahi with high school uniform for summer it was $460 (two pairs of shorts, two shirts, three pairs of socks, one woollen jersey, one set of sports uniform).

“I [still] have two pairs of winter pants and a puffer jacket to get later.”

Another Alexandra mum said she had dropped $400 on Dunstan High School uniform and that included a cut price sandal footwear option.

“I know it’s not leather and it probably won’t last.”

DHS principal Andrew King said the board and management are mindful of costs, try to make them reasonable and put systems in place to support families who it is an issue for.

He added that there has been a reduction in the number of families paying the voluntary donation, but there was not an increase in families in financial hardship and asking for payment plan options.

“There are a range of things that support students. Making families aware of opportunities for support through organisations like the J R MacKenzie Trust and Sporting Chance through Sport Otago to help with uniform and sports fees. 

“We have rental laptops available through the school and work with our families to support them if there is a genuine need,” Andrew said.

Central Otago Budgeting Services (COBS) office manager Pam Hughes said referrals after the Christmas break had increased to at least one a day.

This summer, for the first time, COBS had an ‘on call’ line over Christmas and New Year and Pam triaged clients calls, with some people needing food parcels straight away.

“I had a full week of clients that first week back, some booked back to back.. It’s a sign of the times, it’s not all directly related to schools, it's part of the everyday costs they are incurring. 

“[People] will do what they have to, to ensure kids have what they need for school. That means they might forfeit food, power or fuel… it’s the flow on effect, the bills afterwards that [can cause] financial stress.”

Central Otago Budgeting Services (COBS) office manager Pam Hughes. PHOTO: FILE

Pam said COBS could check what Work and Income New Zealand support people qualified for including accommodation support and community services cards, along with helping to complete paperwork for the FamilyBoost rebate from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

“A lot of people don’t realise they can claim early childhood or kindergarten fees back from IRD if they are classed as a school donation.”

The return to school has hidden expenses too, such as technology, transport, school camps, lunchboxes and backpacks.

The Central App has tips from parents and budgeting services to help parents cope with back to school costs.

Stationery; Get the minimum - stick strictly to the school’s book list, and if anything from last year can be carried over, utilise it. Cover books in recycled wrapping paper and skip the plastic wrap.

Shop around, book shops, discount stores, supermarkets or larger retailers may have bulk discounts or special prices. Check at home in case siblings have anything that can be handed on. 

Choose secondhand; For uniforms, or backpacks local buy/sell/swap pages or opp shops are worth checking. Refurbished devices can be fine for basic school use. 

Spread the cost: Chat to your school administrator about if you can gradually pay off items such as camp fees. Some schools offer fundraising opportunities for families to assist with costs. Gift school items as practical birthday presents to lower costs in late January.  

Share with the community: Reduce transport costs by carpooling, or setting up a bike group, swap babysitting and homework assistance, you can share musical instruments, sports equipment, gear such as sleeping bags and ski jackets for camps.   

Plan for the future: Back to school costs will be back in a year’s time, so if you can set aside $3 each week you’ll have $150 to help in 2026. 

Lunchboxes: Home baking is cheaper than store bought, and tastes better. Double what you make and freeze some for later. Swap seasonal produce with friends and neighbours or check out the community pantries if you need to grab some extras.

Central Otago Budgeting Services (COBS) offer free help weekdays 8.30am based in Alexandra Community House and can get you on track with spending, saving and managing debt. Contact them on [email protected] or call (03) 448 8072 and leave a message. 

Cromwell College and Maniototo Area School were approached for comment but were unable to meet the publishing deadline.

Read more: Cromwell Primary School block redevelopment underway

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