Kia ora tātou,

We are delighted to share that Rutherford College are participating in the Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata, the period products in schools’ initiative.

Research shows that 77 per cent of students would rather fail a subject than have their peers know they have their period and approximately one in 12 reported having missed school due to lack of access to period products. This highlights the stigma surrounding periods which we hope to change. Through the initiative we will also help to:

• Reduce barriers to access education
• Reduce financial strain on families to provide products
• Improve attendance
• Increase participation in sporting and cultural activities

The Ministry of Education is providing period products (pads and tampons) to students to allow them to manage their monthly cycle. We will have product available for students to pick up and take home, as well as having dispenser units in our school bathrooms.

For more information on the initiative, please visit: Ministry of Education – Ikura initiative.