A brainchild of the previous Labour Government, the Healthy School Lunches Programme provides free lunches to about 242,000 students in greatest need.

Since its initial launch in 2019, the programme has often been a target by politicians and commentators over the cost involved in the scheme.

It’s now under the supervision of associate education minister David Seymour, and a cheaper alternative to it launched this year.

It alone has faced a myriad of issues, notably incidents of unappetising, late or absent food deliveries, and a more serious case of one child suffering second-degree burns from a hot lunch.

As a result, hundreds of meals have been left uneaten – and now, one company contracted to deliver the food has gone into liquidation. 

So why are free school lunches such a source of controversy – and can the Government get past the negative headlines around them? 

Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Victoria University of Wellington politics professor Dr Lara Greaves to discuss why there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

 

A brainchild of the previous Labour Government, the Healthy School Lunches Programme provides free lunches to about 242,000 students in greatest need.
Since its initial launch in 2019, the programme has often been a target by politicians and commentators over the cost involved in the scheme.
It&rsquo;s now under the supervision of associate education minister David Seymour, and a cheaper alternative to it launched this year.
It alone has faced a myriad of issues, notably incidents of unappetising, late or absent food deliveries, and a more serious case of one child suffering second-degree burns from a hot lunch.
As a result, hundreds of meals have been left uneaten &ndash; and now, one company contracted to deliver the food has gone into liquidation.&nbsp;
So why are free school lunches such a source of controversy &ndash; and can the Government get past the negative headlines around them?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, we&rsquo;re joined by Victoria University of Wellington politics professor Dr Lara Greaves to discuss why there&rsquo;s no such thing as a free lunch.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Ethan Sills
&nbsp;

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Government hits back as school lunch programme continues to face criticism - will the scheme survive?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/eee63066-6589-402e-b4cb-b29e00219ca9/transcript

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