This information sheet answers questions on the choices you have about what you wear and your appearance at school.
All the information below applies to Kura Kaupapa Maori and state and integrated schools (an integrated school is a private school that has joined the state school system and gets extra funding from the government). Some of it applies to private schools as well. The information sheet will say which sort of school it’s referring to.

Who makes the rules about what you can wear?
How do I check the uniform rules before I enrol?
Do I have to wear a uniform at school?
What if I can't afford to buy the school uniform?
What do students say about wearing uniforms?
Can my school tell me what to wear if there is no uniform?
Can a teacher send me home if I am not in correct uniform?
Can my school make me wear a uniform to and from school?
Do I have to wear my uniform on school trips and outings?
What if I am disabled or there are special reasons that make it hard to wear school uniform?
I am a girl - do I have to wear a skirt or dress?
Can I dress in a way that is important to my religion, culture or nationality?
I am Maori. Can I wear a bone or pounamu (greenstone) taonga at school?
Can I wear a piercing at school?
What if I refuse to obey the uniform or appearance rules?
What does the law say about uniform and appearance rules?


Get more help here.