16122 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

16122 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: How, if at all, is it being ensured that subcontractors for the School Lunch Collective (SLC) are complying with the nutritional standards for the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme?

Hon David Seymour: " I am advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that the School Lunch Collective (SLC) is responsible for ensuring sub-contractors and third-party manufacturers comply with the terms of the Services Agreement. It is the responsibility of Compass Group New Zealand, as the Lead for the SLC, to meet the service levels and metrics outlined in the Services Agreement which includes meal provision, food quality and safety and nutrition standards. To measure the nutritional performance of suppliers and subcontractors, the Ministry will monitor standards through: • quality and nutrition spot checks at schools and kitchens • survey feedback received from schools each term • feedback and assessments from the Ministry staff onsite at schools.