Deputy PM Criticizes Principal After Mouldy School Lunch Incident

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has publicly criticized the principal of Haeata Community Campus following an incident where students consumed mouldy lunches provided under the government’s free school meals programme. Parents in Christchurch expressed outrage after their children were served contaminated food, raising concerns about food safety and quality.

On March 11, 2024, the School Lunch Collective announced it was investigating a “food quality issue” after students reported that the mince served during lunch was spoiled. The Collective, which oversees the contract with Compass Group to deliver government-funded meals, confirmed that a teacher discovered the problem shortly after the meals were distributed.

Parent Kalah Balir recounted her 12-year-old daughter’s experience, stating that the child ate half of the mouldy meal before realizing it was spoiled. “She said I was hungry, so I got through half of it, and it was yuck, so I threw it away,” Balir said. She expressed her anger, stating, “It’s just sick that was served to children. It’s dangerous.”

Another concerned parent, Rebecca McKenzie, described her frustration when her daughter also refused to eat the meal due to its unpleasant taste. “I was annoyed, disgusted, and disappointed that this could happen to our kids,” McKenzie shared. With four children at home, including two at Haeata, she emphasized the importance of the school lunch programme, especially given the rising costs of living. “To have this happen is like a kick in the teeth, really.”

The parents noted that, while their children did not exhibit any symptoms of food poisoning after the incident, they were vigilant for any signs of illness. This incident has led to increased scrutiny of the school lunch programme, which many families depend on for reliable meals.

In response to the incident, David Seymour remarked that the principal of Haeata Community Campus was a “frequent flyer in the media” regarding complaints about government policies. He pointed out that it appeared meals from an earlier day had been served to students, although the cause of the mix-up—whether it was at the distributor or the school—remained unclear. Seymour confirmed that no illnesses had been reported as a direct consequence of the mouldy meals, adding that testing was underway to determine the situation’s specifics.

Earlier this year, the principal sought to terminate the contract with Compass Group due to ongoing issues with service quality, but the government denied this request. As a result of this incident and previous service complaints, Compass Group has been excluded from the list of approved providers for the school lunch programme starting in 2026.

The Haeata Community Campus incident has sparked widespread concern among parents and the community, highlighting the need for improved oversight in the school meal programme. As investigations continue, many families are left questioning the safety and reliability of the meals provided to their children.