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Daniel Mokoena
[FYI request #34112 email]
14 April 2026
Tēnā koe Daniel
OIA: GEMS-47278 – School Lunches guidance
Thank you for your email of 17 March 2026 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry)
requesting the following information:
1. Any guidance or recommendations provided by the Ministry to schools or
school boards regarding:
a. the amount of time students should have to eat food during lunch or
break periods
b. the relationship between eating time and student health, wellbeing, or
nutrition.
2. Any advice, briefings, or internal discussions held by the Ministry regarding
whether schools should ensure students have sufficient seated time to eat
their lunch.
3. Any documents held by the Ministry discussing best practice for structuring
lunch breaks, including eating time versus play time.
4. Any research, reports, or external advice (for example from the Ministry of
Health or other agencies) held by the Ministry concerning the impact of lunch
break duration or eating time on children’s nutrition, wellbeing, behaviour, or
learning.
5. Any guidance issued in connection with the Ka Ora Ka Ako Healthy School
Lunches programme relating to time required for students to eat the meals
provided.
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Regarding
parts one, two, three and four of your request, the Ministry does not
advise schools on timeframes for eating. It is up to the school to determine what
works best for students, staffing and the daily curriculum needs. Therefore these
parts of your request are refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as the information
requested does not exist.
The Healthy School Lunches programme provides nutritious food to support student
learning and their ability to thrive at school. Eating a nutritious lunch helps with
student growth, development and can improve mental health, enhance cognitive
Wellington – National Office, PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140
Phone: +64 4 463 8000
education.govt.nz
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skills like concentration and memory to support wellbeing and academic
performance. Lunch eating times vary, with some schools offering 20-30 minutes,
though studies show longer is better for consumption. I am providing this advice as
Appendix A.
For planning purposes, schools have advice regarding serving lunch earlier in the
day/morning tea, as that can help increase uptake and give hungry students two
opportunities to enjoy a lunch. Schools have reported that less lunch waste is
generated when students sit down and eat lunch together.
For schools who also have Kickstart breakfast it is suggested lunch time is later to
ensure they are hungry at lunch time.
Regarding
part five of your request, the advice is given to schools on food safety
guidance. Eating times are not specified. Instead, we have provided guidance on the
timeframes within which food must be consumed to remain safe, per the attached.
Please note, we may publish this response on our website after five working days.
Your name and contact details will be removed.
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review
my decision on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do
this by writing to [email address] or to Office of the Ombudsman,
PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā
Andrew Gibson
General Manager, Strategic Programmes
Te Mahau | Education Services
education.govt.nz
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OIA: GEMS-47278
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