RWNZ welcomes extended support for rural school transport amid fuel crisis, but says there’s still work to do

Rural Women New Zealand is welcoming the Government's decision on Monday to increase the conveyance allowance by 30 per cent, acknowledging it as a step toward supporting rural families facing rising transport costs amid New Zealand's fuel crisis.

The conveyance allowance is a payment made to parents and caregivers to contribute toward the cost of getting students to school, or to the nearest school bus stop.

For rural families whose school bus routes were cancelled before the Ministry of Education paused further changes in March, it is often the only financial support available to meet the cost of getting children to school.

The increase is the first since 1985. It will remain in place for 12 months or until fuel prices drop below $3 per litre for four consecutive weeks.

"While the increase is a welcome step to support rural families during the fuel crisis, we are eager to see the policy review progress so the families who have lost their routes before the March pause can have some certainty about what comes next," said Frances Beeston, Education Policy Action Advisory Group Convenor, Rural Women New Zealand.

“The cancellation of rural school bus routes is death by a thousand cuts for rural communities. It is not just about getting children to school, it is about the long-term health and wellbeing of the communities we live and work in,” she said. 

Rural Women New Zealand has been working closely with Federated Farmers and the NZ Rural Schools Leadership Association calling for a review of school bus routes and eligibility criteria.

Rural Women New Zealand also welcomes the broader package of measures announced by the Minister of Education, including investment in replacing diesel boilers at up to 70 schools, and the expansion of the Go Rural programme and increased places in the Teacher Bonding Scheme, recognising these as steps toward building a sustainable pipeline of teachers for rural communities.

ENDS

Media enquiries to:

Georgia Nelson

Communications Manager

021 530 769

georgia.nelson@ruralwomennz.nz

About Rural Women NZ

Rural Women New Zealand is a nationwide charitable membership organisation with a proud history over nearly 100 years of empowering and supporting women at the heart of rural communities. With regional branches and groups across the country providing connection and support, we are recognised as a leader across the rural sector and provide a trusted voice on issues affecting rural communities. You can learn more about Rural Women New Zealand on our website at https://www.ruralwomennz.nz/‍ ‍