Auckland (Avneet Kaur)
The ACT Party is proposing changes to school uniform rules, arguing that many New Zealand families are paying far too much for compulsory school clothing at a time when the cost of living remains under pressure.
Under the policy, state schools would be limited to requiring a maximum of three branded uniform items. Everyday items such as shorts, trousers, skirts, skorts and socks would no longer need to be purchased from designated school suppliers and could instead be bought from retailers such as The Warehouse, Kmart and other stores.
ACT’s education spokesperson Laura McClure said parents are often forced to buy basic clothing items from a single approved supplier, even when cheaper alternatives are widely available elsewhere.
She said the party believes schools should focus on education rather than placing unnecessary financial pressure on families through expensive uniform requirements.
According to ACT, the proposed changes could save parents around $250 per child each year, while giving families more flexibility when shopping for school uniforms.
McClure said the party is not proposing to abolish uniforms altogether, noting that uniforms help create a sense of identity, pride and belonging within schools. However, she argued that some families are being asked to spend excessive amounts on school clothing, with some uniform sets costing well over $1,000.
The party believes increasing competition would help drive down prices and give parents more affordable options. School uniform suppliers would still be able to sell branded items, but families would no longer be restricted to buying all uniform components through a single provider.
ACT has pointed to international examples where similar changes have been introduced. In the United Kingdom, schools are being restricted in the number of branded uniform items they can require, while studies in Australia have found that branded versions of everyday uniform items can cost significantly more than comparable generic alternatives.
The proposal comes as political parties increasingly focus on household expenses and cost-of-living pressures ahead of the next election.
