Election 2026: Labour to limit compulsory school uniform items in rare alignment with Act

Labour intends to limit the number of compulsory school uniform items and allow families to buy cheaper, non-branded alternatives if elected. It is almost identical to a policy Act announced in June, which also seeks to cap compulsory branded items and allow more generic options be worn. Unveiled today by leader Chris Hipkins and education spokeswoman Ginny Andersen in Palmerston North, Labour’s policy aims to lower the cost of purchasing school uniforms, which the party says can reach as high as $1000 for secondary school students. Labour would impose on schools a limit on the number of branded uniform items parents must buy. The party’s statement did not outline what limit would be implemented.It would allow “affordable, non-branded” alternatives that meet school standards to be accepted and to “take affordability into account when setting uniform policies”. Labour would also “track and publish uniform costs” with an eye on measures that could make uniforms cheaper. The policy would come into force from term 1 in 2028 if Labour is elected. “Families shouldn’t need to turn to hardship support just to get their kids ready for school. We can take practical steps to bring those costs down,” Hipkins said.“Schools can maintain their identity without forcing parents to pay a premium for a logo,” Andersen said. “If a plain navy polo does the job, parents shouldn’t have to pay more for the branded version.”The party linked the policy with already announced policies focused on the costs associated with education, including its free school lunches policy and restoring some rural school bus routes. In June, Act education spokeswoman Laura McClure announced her party would introduce a cap of three compulsory branded items for state schools.It would also allow “more generic alternatives” of shorts, pants, skirts, skorts and socks purchased from retailers such as The Warehouse or Kmart. Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.