Interviews and information from schools show parents of a student starting Year 9 in Auckland can expect to pay thousands to get them set up for high school. Supporting studentsThe MSD’s School Education Costs financial programme allows eligible people to receive payments covering immediate or essential costs. These could be used to pay for school uniforms, stationery and childcare costs, said MSD’s client service delivery general manager Graham Allpress. Allpress encouraged anyone struggling with school costs to contact MSD. She has high praise for her son’s primary school, Panmure Bridge, which she said had gone “above and beyond” for them.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 17, 2026 21:31 UTC