A Glimpse at the History of School Uniforms in New Zealand

School uniforms are an integral part of the culture and identity of many schools in New Zealand. Like other aspects of the country, school uniforms have also undergone changes over time. Let’s have a look at the evolution of school uniforms in New Zealand over the last 50 years.

1960s

Throughout the history of New Zealand, the gym frock was prominent among girls’ school uniforms. Woollen dresses were the acceptable school uniforms for secondary and primary classes. Many schools gradually replaced the gym frock with simpler tunics and kilts. However, a few schools still have uniforms in the gym frock design, upgrading the cut, colours, and fabric.

Image courtesy: horowhenua.kete.net.nz

1970s

In the 1970s, brown used to be a popular hue for school dresses. Brown leather shoes and long socks remained a standard for many girls’ schools up to the 1990s.

1980s

No major changes took place in uniform fashion within 1977 and 1982. This summer school dress was worn by students around 1983. The uniform has a cultural element included in it, which became quite popular with several schools.

Image courtesy: collections.tepapa.govt.nz

With the brown gym frock going out of uniform fashion for most schools, the preference for gingham increased.

1990s

One of the oldest schools in the nation, Auckland’s Wesley College, incorporated traditional cultural dress elements into the formal school uniform.

The uniform shown here combines customary clothing with traditional British school dress elements. Students of Pacific Island led the formation of the combined school uniform in 1980s as they wanted their uniform to reflect their cultural identity. Students belonging to all ethnicities can now wear the tupenu. 

Image courtesy: blog.tepapa.govt.nz

2000s

Kiwi school dresses underwent significant changes to give way to more formal designs. St Anne’s School at Wellington changed its school uniform in 2004 for incorporating a gym slip in modern style for girls.

Today

In 2012, Palmerston North Girls’ High School introduced the blazer to senior school uniform. They also removed the kilt from their senior school uniform.  

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Image courtesy: schooluniform.esy.es

Summing up

School uniform fashion is constantly changing with time. Irrespective of how they change, they will always serve their purpose of making students feel a part of the school community and instilling a sense of belonging in them towards their school.