NEW Zealand has announced that it will be making sanitary products free to all school pupils, following in the wake of Scotland’s law change late last year.

The nation’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said the measure would help address poverty and have a “positive impact on children's well-being”.

Due to come into effect in June, the announcement follows a successful pilot program which provided free period products to more than 3000 students across 15 schools.

Ardern said: "We want to see improved engagement, learning and behaviour, fewer young people missing school because of their period, and reduced financial hardship amongst families of participating students."

The prime minister said research had shown one in 12 young people were missing school due to this issue, adding that the program will cost NZ$25 million (£13m) through to 2024.

READ MORE: How the world reacted to Scotland's historic period product legislation

New Zealand’s minister of women, Jan Tinetti, said the issues with periods at school included embarrassment, stigma, missing classes, being "caught out" without products, cost, lack of knowledge and discomfort.

A survey from Young Scot previously found that around one in four students in Scotland had struggled to access period products.

Separate research found about 10% of UK girls have been unable to afford period products, 15% have struggled to afford them, and 19% have changed to a less suitable product due to cost.

In November 2020, Holyrood unanimously voted through the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Labour MSP Monica Lennon.

It placed a legal obligation on local authorities to ensure that everyone has access to free sanitary products.

Lennon said it was a "practical and progressive" bill, adding: "Periods don't stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusables has never been more important.”