Free period products roll out in Bay of Plenty schools from next week

Crimson Organic owner Vicki Scott. Photo / Supplied

Bay of Plenty students will start to receive free period products from next week as a Government initiative rolls out across the country.

Tauranga businesswoman Vicki Scott, who is passionate about tackling period poverty in schools, is playing a key role in the programme through the supply of organic tampons.

More than 1500 New Zealand schools and kura have so far opted into the Access to Period Products programme and the first deliveries would be made on June 14.

The Ministry of Education previously held a competitive tender process, and has now signed contracts with four suppliers for the first phases of the rollout.

Scott, who is a former youth lawyer, said she was delighted her environmentally friendly, organic option Crimson Organic had been chosen.

"It is better for the planet, and it is a product we are proud of," she said. "I am absolutely ecstatic to be part of this history-making initiative."

Scott's passion came after regularly seeing women who could not afford pads or tampons passing through the district court system.

"When I visited these young clients, the boys would ask me to bring them chips and Coke. The girls would ask me for toilet paper, soap, pads and tampons. These girls had no access to period products at home so they frequently stayed away from school, which of course affected their education and job prospects."

Scott said international research linked school absenteeism with young people entering the justice system.

"We know education is the key to getting out of poverty and giving yourself life choices.

"Being the mother of a daughter, I was thinking about how many girls in schools were having their education compromised because they couldn't access period products.

"It is a big chunk of time in a school year that girls are missing out on education through no fault of their own."

Crimson Organic owner Vicki Scott. Photo / Supplied

Scott believed the Access programme would also work to destigmatise the topic.

"The fact that Jacinda Ardern can make this a national conversation is going to do so much for the cause in terms of destigmatising it and levelling the playing field for girls in school."

When Scott launched the company from her home in Mount Maunganui in 2018, donating menstrual products was a key part of her business.

Crimson Organic runs an online tampon donations programme, inviting women to buy tampons for those who can't afford them.

Consequently, Scott had delivered thousands of tampons to organisations that work with vulnerable women.

Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti. Photo / NZME

Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti said the programme was part of the Government's wider efforts to combat child poverty. She believed free period products in schools would help improve students' learning.

"When I was a principal at Merivale School, some students as young as 6 years old were getting their periods and would require products.

"Providing free period products at school is one way the Government can directly address poverty, help increase school attendance, and make a positive impact on children's wellbeing."

Papamoa College was one of the Bay of Plenty schools opting in to the programme.

Principal Steve Lindsey said there was no reason not to.

"Anything that makes it easier for a student to be at school, or at least be at their best for their learning is a good thing.

"If it is a barrier for some, then let's go for it, let's do it."

He said It wasn't clear whether lack of access to period products had previously resulted in absenteeism at the school but past students had identified a need for free period products among their peers, he said.

Kaitao Intermediate deputy principal Debbie Holmes said it had been receiving tampons and pads from KidsCan over the past year, but also planned to opt in to the Government scheme.

Support from KidsCan had helped take the pressure off students and staff at the school, she said.

"Girls who weren't able to come to school because they didn't have the right products - that is eliminated completely.

"You just need them, it is like having toilet paper. It is not a luxury item. Girls shouldn't have to worry about having to purchase them."

Rotorua Girls' High principal Sarah Davis had also been receiving period products from KidsCan, and was delighted other schools could now do so.

"It is just another way we can support that regular attendance. And take away an obstacle for students feeling whakama [shy] about things.

"There should never be a reason why someone's, through no fault of their own, education is impacted."

Schools that have opted into the programme now need to place orders for products.
They will receive the mixture of pads and tampons they ordered, but a random selection of brands. Those who have not yet opted in can still do so.