Media Release
Parents’ Alliance: cheaper uniforms a win for families
MEDIA RELEASE
12 October 2026
Parents’ Alliance: cheaper uniforms a win for families
Responding to the Labour Party policy announcement that, if elected to Government, the Labour Party will take steps to reduce the cost of school uniforms, the Parents’ Alliance Chair Cameron Bagrie responded,
“The Parents’ Alliance is delighted that Labour followed ACT’s school uniform policy to reduce the cost of school uniforms. Kids and their families should come before politics, and we need more collaboration like this in education.”
“Most parents support school uniforms, but the cost of uniforms in some schools has ballooned.”
“Schools sometimes use school uniform sales as a fundraising mechanism, taking a share of uniform sales and pushing up the cost of uniforms for parents.”
“Fundraising should be transparent and voluntary, using school uniform sales to fundraise doesn’t meet these basic tests.”
The policy would limit the number of compulsory brandied uniform items and allow non-branded alternatives.
“We support schools having their own identity expressed in some items of uniform. However we agree that items such as socks and PE shorts should be able to be limited to a non-branded school colour.”
“We hope the policy can be progressed whoever forms government after the election and look forward to working through the detail of this policy once it is developed.”
ENDS
Media contact: Cameron Bagrie, Chair and Spokesperson, The Parents’ Alliance 027 290 9844
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About the Parents' Alliance: The Parents' Alliance The Parents’ Alliance Te Kotahitanga o ngā Mātua, Le Lotogatasi o Mātua, 家长联盟, पारिवारिक मंच is a national group building a collective voice for parents, grandparents and whānau in education.