On the Road with Ross: Visiting KickStart Breakfast Schools on the West Coast

During the middle of Term 2, I had the pleasure of visiting KickStart Breakfast schools on the West Coast of the South Island.

It had been four years since my last visit to the region, making this trip particularly special. Last time, I wasn't able to reach Hokitika and the communities further south, so it was fantastic to connect with schools right across more of the Coast this time around.

My itinerary took me to every current KickStart Breakfast school on the West Coast, as well as schools preparing to join the programme in the near future. Travelling from south to north and back through the centre, I was reminded just how unique this part of New Zealand is. The Coast has its own character, shaped by its landscape, communities and way of life.

The people, the weather, the scenery and the welcome were all energising.

West Coast milk deliveries all come out of Christchurch, making logistics a significant undertaking. Several schools are in remote locations, so we've arranged alternative collection points for their deliveries. I'm incredibly grateful to the schools and community members who go the extra mile to collect milk and help keep breakfast clubs running smoothly.

I am very grateful to the schools who go out of their way to collect their milk from these locations, and to the members of the school community who help make this happen, including staff, parents and friends of the school. Because of the delivery logistics, it is not always possible to simply arrange a quick top-up delivery for a West Coast school. That makes the Term Update in Week 7 especially important, as it helps ensure every school receives the right amount of product for the term ahead.

Because top-up deliveries aren't always easy to arrange, the Term Update in Week 7 plays an important role in helping us provide the right amount of product for the term ahead. I'm particularly proud of the effort West Coast schools put into supplying accurate numbers each term. That care and attention makes a real difference to how we support breakfast clubs across the region.

There were plenty of memorable moments along the way, including:

  • Meeting passionate staff and volunteers committed to giving students the best possible start to the day.
  • Visiting breakfast clubs that operate in many different ways, from staff-led and student-led models to those supported by families, volunteers and community groups.
  • Discovering one school that saves the crumbs from the bottom of Weet-Bix bags and uses them as a coating for fish in Food Technology classes.
  • Hearing schools ask for leadership badges to recognise students who volunteer and show outstanding care for others.
  • Learning about the opportunities and challenges facing local communities, and the ways they are adapting for the future.
  • Seeing upgrades to school facilities that are creating even better learning environments.
  • Witnessing the care schools take in managing and making the most of the resources provided through KickStart Breakfast.
  • Experiencing the genuine enthusiasm people have for helping their students thrive.


I left the Coast feeling both grateful and inspired. Thank you to everyone who welcomed me into their schools, shared their stories and showed me the many ways breakfast clubs are making a difference. I'm proud to work alongside communities that care so deeply about giving young people the best possible start to their day.

I'm already looking forward to my next West Coast road trip - this one was an absolute cracker!