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It's almost that time of year again. The holidays are wrapping up, and before the kids head back, there's the back to school shopping.
Between uniforms, stationery, devices and school donations, it can add up fast.
Here's what's actually free, what isn't, where you can get help, and how to keep costs down.
Updated November 2026
State schooling is usually free: state school education in NZ is free for domestic students.
Donations are voluntary, even if a school calls them a "school fee".
The donations scheme: many state and state-integrated schools have joined the government scheme, so they don't ask for donations at all, except for overnight camps.
Tax credit: you can claim 33.33 cents back from IRD for every dollar you donate to a school, on donations of $5 or more.
Help with uniforms and stationery: Work and Income may help with uniforms and stationery if you're on a low income. You don't have to be on a benefit.
Cutting costs: swapping or buying second-hand uniforms and checking your stationery list before you shop are the easiest ways to save.
Costs vary a lot by school and year level, but these are the usual ones to budget for:
Uniforms and shoes: often the biggest cost, especially when kids start a new school.
Stationery: from the school's stationery list.
A device: many schools ask students to bring their own laptop or tablet (often called "BYOD").
School donations: voluntary (see below).
Activities and trips: camps, sports, music lessons and trips, some of which may be charged.
Lunches and travel: everyday costs that go up once school's back.
Ask your school for its stationery list, uniform requirements and device policy before you shop, and check what you already have at home.
Yes. Education at state schools is free for domestic students.
Schools can ask for donations, but donations are voluntary, even if a school calls it a "school fee". You don't have to pay, and your child shouldn't miss out on the curriculum if you don't.
What schools can charge for:
Things your child takes home or owns, like materials for a project they keep.
Optional extras outside the curriculum, like some trips, activities or extra tuition, as long as it's clear they're voluntary.
State-integrated schools (often schools with a special character, like many church schools) can also charge attendance dues, which are compulsory. Private schools charge fees.
Many state and state-integrated schools have joined the government's school donations scheme.
Schools in the scheme get extra funding per student from the government, and in return they agree not to ask parents for donations, except towards overnight school camps.
Schools decide each year whether to join, so check with your school whether it's in the scheme.
If you pay a school donation, you can claim a tax credit from Inland Revenue: 33.33 cents for every dollar you donate, on donations of $5 or more. So a $150 donation could get you $50 back.
Keep the receipt. Schools issue donation receipts, often as one annual receipt.
Claim in myIR. Register for a donation tax credit account, then add your receipts.
You have time. You can claim up to four years after the donation.
Not everything counts. Private school fees, and payments for things you get in return (like stationery packs, uniforms or fundraising raffle tickets), don't qualify.
There's a cap. The total you can claim in a year can't be more than your taxable income for that year.
If you're on a low income or a benefit, Work and Income may be able to help with back to school costs. You don't have to be on a benefit to qualify.
Uniforms and stationery: help is usually loaded onto a payment card you can use in-store.
A device for school: Work and Income may help with a laptop or tablet. Talk to the school first about what options it has.
School fees and activities: if there's an immediate, essential need, through a Recoverable Assistance Payment or an Advance Payment of Benefit. These are paid back.
School and Year Start-up Payment: if you're caring for someone else's child and get the Unsupported Child's Benefit or Orphan's Benefit, you can get a once-a-year payment for start-of-year costs. Apply between mid-January and the end of February.
Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 or see help with school costs.
Many community groups also run uniform swaps or back to school programmes, so it's worth asking your school.
It's tempting to grab a pre-packed stationery set for your child's year group, but you pay extra for the convenience, and for things you may already have. Get the school's stationery list, have a quick hunt around the house and cross off what you've got. You can even make it a stationery treasure hunt with the kids. Got more than one child? Think about what can be passed down.
Once you've got your list, work out how much you have to spend in total, then split it by category (uniform, stationery, device, activities) so one area doesn't blow out the rest. Our free 50/30/20 budget worksheet can help you find the money in your weekly budget.
Uniforms can get pricey, especially as kids get older. Ask friends, family and neighbours with kids at the same school what uniform pieces they can pass on, and check your school's second-hand uniform shop or Facebook group. Even saving on one or two pieces makes a real difference.
Prices for laptops and tablets vary a lot between stores. Check what your school actually needs before you buy, compare prices, and look out for back to school specials.
If your kids are old enough, get them involved in making the budget and hunting for bargains. It's a great first lesson in money.
If the total is more than you've got put aside, have a look at the help above first. If you'd still like a hand spreading the cost, talk to us.
We won't let you get in over your head: we'll go through your budget with you to make sure any repayments fit
Yes. Education at state schools is free for domestic students. Schools can ask for donations, but they're voluntary, even if a school calls them a "school fee".
No, not at state schools. A "school fee" at a state school is a voluntary donation. Schools can charge for things your child takes home or owns, and for optional extras outside the curriculum. Private schools charge compulsory fees.
Yes. You can claim a tax credit of 33.33 cents for every dollar you donate to most schools, on donations of $5 or more. Submit your donation receipts in myIR within four years. Private school fees don't qualify.
It's a government scheme where state and state-integrated schools get extra funding per student in return for not asking parents for donations, except for overnight camps. Schools choose each year whether to join.
Yes, if you're on a low income or a benefit. You don't have to be on a benefit. Work and Income may help with uniforms and stationery, usually through a payment card you can use in-store.
