Kate Chapman and hamish Rutherford04:47, May 28 2013
Thousands of pupils will be given free milk and Weet-Bix from next year, in a five-year breakfast programme involving the Government and private firms.
The Government today released its response to a report by the Children's Commissioner's Expert Advisory Group on child poverty. Much of it was a run-down of previous policies and announcements, such as welfare reforms or the Children's Action Plan.
But Prime Minister John Key also confirmed plans to extend the KickStart breakfast programme run by Fonterra and Sanitarium.
The Government will fund 50 per cent of the expansion - up to $9.5m over 5 years - so that all schools that need it can take it up, with the companies footing the remainder of the bill.
A further $1.5m over three years will help Kidscan to provide clothes, health, and hygiene products to disadvantaged children.
Key said the programme did not replace parents' responsibility to look after their children.
"I'd like to make one thing clear - the Government believes parents have the primary responsibility for providing their kids with the basics, including a decent breakfast and a pair of shoes,'' he said.
"But the fact remains that some children are going to school hungry and therefore not in good shape to learn."
"This is a simple breakfast, and one generations of New Zealanders have grown up on - Weet-Bix and milk," Key said.
The programme will initially target schools with decile rating 1-4, with a view to eventually providing it to all schools which need the programme.
