{"id":16514,"date":"2026-02-02T06:00:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T17:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/?p=16514"},"modified":"2026-02-02T06:00:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T17:00:07","slug":"why-are-school-uniforms-so-expensive-and-do-we-need-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/?p=16514","title":{"rendered":"Why are school uniforms so expensive? And do we need them?"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the start of term, families are grappling with familiar uniform dilemmas: how big to buy for fast-growing kids, why even a pair of socks need logos, and whether there\u2019s any way to cut costs.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

As families rush to get children ready for the new school year, uniforms remain a major financial pressure, with tens of thousands of families needing hardship payments to cover back-to-school costs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Last year, more than 38,000 hardship payments were granted to help with school expenses, totalling over $11 million. Thousands of Facebook users are also turning to online groups for second-hand sales to kit out their children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Otago University public health researcher Johanna Reidy says cost is a major concern for families, based on her feasibility study of three Wellington co-ed high schools across the equity index.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Dr<\/div>
Dr Johanna Reidy says school boards need to ensure there’s a competitive market and an adequate choice within the uniform offering.<\/p>\n

Supplied<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n