Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata Period products in schools

Which schools are included

Any state and state-integrated school and kura can choose to join the initiative. This includes primary, intermediate and secondary schools. Currently, an estimated 97% of menstruating students in these schools and kura can access period products.

If your child’s school or kura has not chosen to be included and you would like them to be, talk to them first. If you aren’t sure whether your school has opted in, you can check with them or email us.

Email [email protected]

You can also contact your regional office.

Regional offices

At the moment, the programme is funded until June 2028.

Reducing stigma and barriers

We know there are many ākonga | students who don’t always have access to the products they need. This can mean missing school, sports and cultural activities when they have their ikura | period.

We aim to remove that barrier by providing access to period products. Then, everyone can participate in school and activities equally.

We provide enough products for a full cycle, not just for occasional use. We encourage students to take as much as they need. That includes for use at home, including during the school holidays.

Our name, Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata

We worked alongside Dr Ngahuia Murphy, a kaupapa Māori researcher and educator, expert in cultural practices and knowledge surrounding menstruation. We were able to understand that, traditionally, Māori regarded ikura as a powerful symbol of whakapapa | genealogy, and the continuation of whānau | family and hapū.   

The time of menstruation was tapu | sacred and menstruation had a standing of prestige.   

Ikura comes from the phrase ‘Mai-i-Kurawaka’ meaning ‘menstrual blood that comes from Papatūanuku, the Earth Mother.   

'Manaakitia te whare tangata' means to uphold and take care of the whare tangata (the house of humanity, womb, uterus or temple). 

How can my child get the products?

Each school or kura will have their own plan for making products available. Bigger schools usually have dispensers in bathrooms. At some smaller schools or primary schools, products may be kept with a teacher or the school office.

We know students can be embarrassed to ask, so schools and kura will usually try to provide a way for them to get the products independently. Check with your school or kura if your child isn’t sure where to get the products.

What is available?

There are pads, tampons and liners available in different sizes.

Schools manage their own ordering and distribution of period products. Check with your school if you'd like to know more.

Reusable period products

We trialled reusable period products in 7 schools during Terms 1 to 3 2023. While an evaluation of the trial showed that some students benefitted from access to reusable products, we will not be rolling out reusable products in schools at this time. This is because it would require additional resource from schools and is less practical in a school setting. It would also not be cost-effective because both reusable and disposable products still need to be available.

What about private schools?

The period products initiative is available to state and state-integrated schools, which are publicly funded. Private schools are funded separately, largely through student fees. A private school can choose to provide period products themselves.

More information for whānau | families

This comic series can help you talk to your tamariki | child about menstruation and using period products at school.

These resources can support families to have conversations about menstruation.