Families seek help for 'back to school' costs

26 Jan 2012 02:45p.m.

Lorri wrote:

I don't agree with some of the comments here, accusing parents of wasting their money on booze, cigarettes, Sky, etc. I know plenty of low income families who don't have any of those things, they are luxuries. Yet these parents still struggle to pay the startup costs each year for their kids to get to school. And WINZ aren't much help, apparently because it's an 'expected' expense, i.e. you know you're up for it each year, you're supposed to 'save' for it. Yet we have politicians saying "If you can save whilst on a benefit we're paying you too much." Can't have it both ways, and once again, those least able to fight back are shafted!

25 Jan 2012 08:01p.m.

LBV wrote:

@ erm - Don't underestimate the value of the school librarian. They study for the qualification and have a lot of skills other than just stamping books (which seems to be the stereotype. Information technology is a major part of schools nowadays and librarians are taught specific skills that can be passed on to the students. Encouraging a love of reading can set your kids up for lifelong learning.

23 Jan 2012 11:09a.m.

erm... wrote:

The problem is that schools are out of control. Our local primary uses the school donations for the wages of the librarian - who is not needed. But as usual the parents do not help themselves. I wonder how many who applied for assistance are smokers, drinkers, have flash cars, pay for Sky TV...but it is the soft option to cry to the welfare state for assistance.

21 Jan 2012 06:31p.m.

Sonia wrote:

I agree, the cost of sending kids back to school is very very high, especially just after xmas..... but this is a cost that should be thought about over the course of the year, not just January. A bit of prudent planning and budgeting is what is called for. Even just $5 a week. After all, its the same every year, its not exactly a surprise expense.

21 Jan 2012 06:22p.m.

QuickAnswers wrote:

@vicki To the best of my knowledge the Government does not need to implement a capital gains tax, they already have the power to tax income to the extent that even drug money is taxable. You should rather ask the question why It chooses to turn a blind eye to what you call the '1%' while it seeks to extract all it can from everyone else? PS You also realise 'help' will come from tax which will have to be extracted from those you seek to 'help'?

21 Jan 2012 05:46p.m.

Bruce wrote:

Gone are the days of free education in New Zealand. Education is slowly becoming a privilege. Not a right. The Looney Nat government need to re-instate the funding cuts for education they have imposed over the past 3 years. Schools are finding it hard to struggle without increasing fees. Education should be a right of ever child in New Zealand. Not a privilege enjoyed by the most wealthy. and while they are at it. re-instate the health funding they have also cut over the past 3 years. Mahatma Gandhi was correct when he said "You can see how a Government cares for its people. You look at how much they invest in Education and health".

21 Jan 2012 12:30p.m.

vicki wrote:

This is appalling and totally unacceptable, the cost of living must decrease and the 1% of people who own 40% of the wealth must give up the hold on our welfare and cost of living. The reason we can't afford to pay for our children to go to school is because it costs $400 - $500.00 just to rent a house in Auckland, this is wrong and capital gains on both housing and assets would help with the ever increasing gap between the haves and the have nots. Further why is it that this false economy leads to more state dependency not less, which is not breeding a healthy New Zealand. People need to start standing up for themselves.

21 Jan 2012 11:31a.m.

Wendy wrote:

It is crippling the high cost of poorly crafted clothing that is required for our children to wear to school to get a "so-called free education" One way to help would be to simplfy uniforms. One style for all schools, only difference could be a sew on badge that could be purchased for under $10. Grey skirts and plain polo shirts for girls, Grey shorts or longs for boys and plain polo shirts. Plain coloured sweatshirts with the school badge displayed. Also make education costs, ie school fees, uniform costs, stationary items etc tax deductable or as a tax credit with working for families. Get an itemised receit and lodge it as a tax return.

21 Jan 2012 11:06a.m.

Joanie Wintour wrote:

No surprise here. With salaries as low as they are, expensive (but poor quality goods available to NZers) taxes, energy, food increasing, and the stupid ETS that no one bothered to question -- things are getting out of control for the average NZ family. Over the past 3 years (any coincidence that since John Key came into the picture) I have watched the decline of NZ, as it is becoming only home to John Key and his rich cronies. He is selling the average Joe NZer out to the international oil, gas, and mining companies. What a sham really. And now we have the food bill coming our way, which was put forth by the phonie Greens. It will increase compliance costs for the small grower and put control of food into corporate and international hands. Thanks for nothing John Key

21 Jan 2012 10:50a.m.

johnmillan wrote:

This is a on going problem,as just after Christmas many parents go over board with presents,Booze,so much food etc,and forget about just a few weeks down the track they have to take care of their children returning back too school,and many going too Intermediate and college for the first time, that can be costly. Those with children should budget before the new school year,or even apply for a second hand uniform during the previous year if on a tight budget. I can remember when the family benefit helped out for this situation as parents could apply for the whole years child benefit too help them through those hard times.But now it is even harder as the cost of living,petrol power food rent,education has all sky rocketed out of all proportion but the Nat government would deny this is the case.Just look around, street kids by there hundreds,poverty up and down the country,food banks getting hit by those who are struggling not just the unemployed but also those on minimum wages.Key will go around the world and say that our country is wonderful and debt free?just because he has too paint that bright picture ,after all he is supposed to be the prime minister,but too which country it is anybodies guess?