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Summarised by Centrist
A new RNZ–Reid Research poll shows that nearly two-thirds (61.5%) of New Zealanders believe parents should be primarily responsible for providing school lunches.
Only 32.4% of respondents favoured a government-funded lunch scheme.
Surprisingly, the poll found those on the lowest incomes were more likely to say parents should provide lunches, while the wealthiest were more likely to say it should be the state.
Support for parental responsibility was highest among National and ACT voters but also held majority support among Labour and NZ First supporters. Green and Te Pāti Māori voters were the most likely to back government provision.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the current government would continue the programme but emphasised parental responsibility: “For parents who can afford it, they should be providing their own lunches.”
Labour leader Chris Hipkins agreed with the principle but defended his party’s targeted programme for at-risk children: “Most families will still regard [lunches] as a parents’ responsibility.”
ACT leader David Seymour, who oversees the programme, stated: “If people bring children into the world they have a set of moral obligations … when people don’t fulfill those obligations, we are all worse off.”
The poll surveyed 1000 people between 21–27 March, with a margin of error of ±3.1%.
