An Auckland college has slashed the price of tickets for its school ball this year after a backlash from parents over costs “escalating out of control”.
Parents at Ōrewa College hit out online at the “obscene” $230 price tag to send their teens to this year’s ball, which is being held at the city’s new $1 billion New Zealand International Convention Centre.
One mother with twins said she faced a nearly $500 bill for the event that she couldn’t afford.
Ōrewa College principal Wiri Warriner responded yesterday in a message to parents saying his team had “carefully” reviewed the event and been able to reduce the ticket price by 15% to $195.
He said the Ball Committee had “spent considerable time working through options to ensure we could bring the cost down while still maintaining the key elements of the event, whilst still being held at the NZ International Convention Centre”.
It comes as fuel shortages triggered by the Middle East conflict compound a cost-of-living crisis that’s already hurting Kiwi households.
In the statement, Warriner said he was “very mindful” school balls could be a significant cost to families.
He said the current price sat within a “similar range” to the price of the past two balls at $190 and $220 respectively.
“Our focus has been to strike the right balance between providing a memorable, high-quality event for our students while keeping it as accessible as possible,” he wrote.
The Herald repeatedly approached Ōrewa College for comment this week but it did not to respond, instead issuing a statement yesterday to parents.
The $1 billion NZ International Convention Centre officially opened in February after an 11-year building programme interrupted by a fire and Covid pandemic lockdowns.
It has multiple function sites and states it has the biggest indoor seated theatre in the country.
Prior to the price being cut, a mother with twins said she faced spending nearly $500 on tickets for her two children, a cost she described as “ridiculous”.
“I just don’t know if I can afford it, but I don’t want to disappoint them.”
A Herald analysis of associated ball costs shows ticket prices are not the only expense families face this ball season.
Ball tickets, designer dresses, professional makeup, hair styling and other extras mean prices can soar into the thousands.
Papakura High principal Simon Craggs said the cost of balls was “escalating out of control” for students and forced the cancellation of his school’s milestone event for two consecutive years.
Craggs said that after the 2023 and 2024 balls were canned because of low ticket sales, staff decided to host the event in one of the school’s gyms last year and capped the ticket price at $90.
“Our staff worked hard to create a wonderful event for our students, and all who attended were very happy that it was a special occasion.
“We have decided that this is the way we will continue moving forward as it is the best outcome for our students.”
Parents of Ōrewa College students shared online that their children’s ball tickets were costing $230 each.
One mum said she would be forced to work overtime to afford to send her twin daughters off on their special night.
Ministry of Education group manager for standards and support, Helen Hurst, said schools are expected to act as “good financial stewards and consider equity and accessibility” when planning school balls.
“Many schools use fundraising or other support to help with costs.”
Some schools hold mufti days to fundraise for the school ball and lower ticket prices, while others, such as Massey High School in Auckland, offer the opportunity to sponsor a student to attend.
But for many, the cost of attending the ball stretches beyond the ticket price, with outfits, beauty appointments and transport pushing up the total spent.
Herald research found hair styling alone can cost between $80 and $150, and makeup between $90 and $140. Nail appointments add another $50 to $80, bringing beauty prep to an estimated $200 to $350 before the night even begins.
The outfit itself often carries the biggest price tag. At upmarket Auckland boutiques, formal gowns range from $700 to $1700, with some premium styles priced higher, while fast-fashion and high-street retailers offer dresses starting from $80 to $300.
Accessories also add up, with heels ranging from $90 to $270 and clutch bags from $50 to $60.
For boys, ties or bow ties range from $20 to $70 and cufflinks from $45 to $50. Getting to the event can mean another expense, with shared limos or party buses costing $50 to $100 per person when split among friends, while rideshares or carpools are estimated at $20 to $40 each.
Rachel Maher is an investigative reporter covering Auckland issues and education. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year.
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