4119 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

4119 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: What reports, briefings, memos, aides-memoire, notes or written advice, if any, has he received stating that a "quarter" of the Ka ora, Ka ako programme lunches are wasted, listed by date and title?

Hon David Seymour: I have received correspondence indicating that wastage of more 25% is occurring. One teacher has told my office that "Only about 40% of the students take up the offer of a free lunch! Depending on what is on offer...the majority of what is taken ends up in the garbage. The college then gives away the remainder to local churches and the Iwi. I agree that this needs to be targeted." Another correspondent has written that so much food is leftover from one local school that some of it ends up as pig food.