The issue of fees being paid in a free education system has upset many over the years and is in the spotlight again, so how do Wanganui schools compare?
Auckland's Avondale College sparked debate last month for denying a student the chance to attend the school ball because her father didn't pay her fees.
Wanganui's secondary schools do charge fees for attendance or ask for voluntary donations, with Ruapehu College being the lowest at $45 a year and Rangitikei College close behind at $65.
Rangitikei's website explains that this fee - decided by the school's board of trustees - helps with general expenses such as sports, cultural activities, the school magazine and the library.
In stark contrast Wanganui Collegiate School, which in November was integrated into the State school system, charges $10,900 per year for day students to attend. Parent contributions, which make up $5200 of that total, are voluntary and cover things such as counselling, a medical centre, activities supervision and meals at school.
But there is also a tax-deductible $2940 donation split between the school board and its proprietor - the Whanganui College Board of Trustees - to ensure the "special character of the school, additional teaching staff and the general environment of the school is maintained".
Such fees are common at schools with a religious background. Nga Tawa Diocesan School, like Collegiate, an Anglican school, includes a special character contribution of $500 and a "building contribution" of $900.
Catholic schools such as Cullinane College have their attendance dues paid to the Catholic Schools Board and these are not a donation and, unlike other schools' fees, are not tax deductible. The board's website says the $780 dues are used to fund existing and new buildings and for insurance and are a legal obligation of enrolment.
What you pay for your child
(annually, not including special subject or materials fees or boarding)
Ruapehu College: Activity fee (donation) of $45.
Rangitikei College: School fee of $65.
Wanganui Girls' College: Voluntary donation of $100.
Wanganui City College: School fees of $120 (discounted to $100 if paid by March 31).
Wanganui High School: Activity fee of $150.
Cullinane College: Attendance dues of $780, activity fee (donation) $80.
Nga Tawa Diocesan School: Attendance dues of $690, building contribution of $900, activity fee of $180, fee protection fee of $60 for day girls, special character contribution of $500 for day girls only, meals fee of $3869.81 for day girls only.
Wanganui Collegiate School: Attendance dues of $2760, donation of $2940, parent contributions of $5200 for day students only, fee protection insurance at 1.5 per cent.