Find Free Period Products NZ: Your Friendly 2025 Guide
Navigating your cycle can be tough enough without the added stress of wondering where your next pad or tampon will come from. Please know you're not alone in this. Here in Aotearoa, a beautiful movement is growing, with incredible organisations and community heroes stepping up to ensure no one has to go without essential care.
Period poverty is a real issue affecting so many of us, from students missing school to individuals making tough choices at the supermarket. This guide is your map to finding free period products in NZ. We've done the research for you, gathering some key players into one easy-to-use resource.
We'll walk you through nationwide government initiatives, local library schemes, university campus support systems, and community donation points. Each entry includes direct links and key details to help you find exactly what you need, when you need it. Let's explore these amazing resources together and take one less worry off your plate, because everyone deserves to manage their period with dignity.
1.Crimson Organic Gifting and Donations program
Our goal is to ensure all menstruators in New Zealand have direct, reliable access to high-quality period care. We played a pivotal role in the Ministry of Educations program for period products in schools to bring these essentials right where young people learn, making period poverty one less barrier to their education.
What truly sets Crimson Organic apart is our unwavering commitment to both well-being and environmental responsibility. We supply GOTS-certified, 100% organic cotton tampons, which are hypoallergenic and free from harsh chemicals, dyes, or fragrances. This focus on premium, safe & healthy materials is a significant advantage for those who may have sensitive skin or prefer a more natural option.
Crimson also actively contribute to broader social change, having donated over 110,000 tampons to communities in need and fostering crucial conversations about menstruation. Our work helps to dismantle the silence and stigma that can often surround periods at school, which you can explore further in our article about period conversations in schools.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Access | Regularly gifts and distributes donated tampons to organizations who contact Crimson and those always in need (Women's refugees, Youth Specialty Services, BOP Rugby etc) |
| Product Type | GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton tampons. |
| Key Advantage | High-quality, organic tampons supplied through a structured, nationwide programme. |
| Limitations | Crimson gives to a mix of organizations to spread the impact. There isn't one depot that will always have Crimson on hand - If you or an organization you know are in need we encourage you to reach out. |
For students, parents, and educators, Crimson Organic represents a trusted and powerful ally. Read more about how we partnered with the government to make free period products available in NZ schools.
Website: https://crimsonorganic.co.nz/pages/official-supplier-to-schools
2. Ministry of Education – Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata
For caregivers and students navigating the school system, the Ministry of Education's Ikura programme is an absolute game-changer. This amazing nationwide initiative is dedicated to providing free period products in NZ state and state-integrated schools, tackling period poverty right where it can be a major barrier to learning. The programme is a collaboration with OfficeMax and Essity, ensuring a steady supply of pads, tampons, and liners for young people.
The beauty of this programme is its simplicity and scope. Students at participating schools can access products directly, often through dispensers or from designated areas like the school office or wellness centre. The system encourages students to take what they need, including enough to use at home, which helps normalise menstruation and remove financial stress. While private schools aren't covered, this government-funded scheme offers reliable, long-term support, currently funded through June 2028.
Key Information:
- How to Access: Students at participating schools can get products directly on-site. The website provides information for schools wishing to opt-in and for whānau wanting to understand the programme.
- What’s Available: Pads, tampons, and liners.
- Cost: Completely free for students at opted-in schools.
Visit the Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata website
3. Dignity NZ – Community Support
Dignity NZ is a social enterprise with a massive heart, working to make period products accessible to everyone, no matter their situation. They operate on a beautiful 'buy-one, give-one' model, partnering with workplaces and organisations who buy their products. For every item purchased, another is gifted to someone in need through an amazing network of community partners like food banks, women's refuges, and youth groups.
While you can't order free products directly to your door from Dignity, their incredible work ensures that many community organisations across the country are stocked up. This means if you access services from one of their 'Give Partners', you'll likely find free period products nz available, often including high-quality, sustainable options from beloved brands like Oi and AWWA. It’s a powerful, community-focused approach that has already gifted over 1.4 million items nationwide, making a real difference on the ground.
Key Information:
- How to Access: Individuals can access products through Dignity’s community ‘Give Partners’. The website is a great resource for workplaces or venues wanting to set up their own free product stations.
- What’s Available: Pads, tampons, liners, and sometimes reusable options, often from organic and local brands.
- Cost: Completely free when accessed through a participating community organisation.
4. The Period Place
The Period Place is a powerhouse charity dedicated to ending period poverty in Aotearoa through a blend of direct action and powerful advocacy. It functions as a crucial link, collecting millions of donated products and distributing them through a network of community partners, like food banks, marae, and social services. This warm-hearted approach ensures that help gets to those who need it most, right within their own communities.
What makes The Period Place so effective is its collaborative spirit. They partner with major brands and retailers, like Woolworths NZ, turning everyday shopping into opportunities for donation and amplifying their impact. While you can't order products directly from their website, their focus on large-scale distribution and advocacy creates systemic change, making them a key player in the mission for free period products in NZ. For a deeper look into the inspiring journey behind the movement, you can learn more about its founder's story.
Key Information:
- How to Access: Products are distributed through their community partners, not directly to individuals. The website is a great resource for finding ways to donate, volunteer, or for organisations to apply to become a partner.
- What’s Available: A wide range, including pads, tampons, menstrual cups, reusable pads, and period underwear, depending on donations.
- Cost: Completely free for individuals accessing products through a partner organisation.
Visit The Period Place website
5. KidsCan
KidsCan has been a pillar of support in Kiwi communities for years, and their dedication to tackling period poverty is a huge part of their mission. This incredible charity works directly with low-equity schools and early childhood education (ECE) centres across Aotearoa to provide essential items, including a reliable supply of free period products. Their approach is all about ensuring young people have everything they need to learn, participate, and feel confident.
What makes KidsCan so special is how they wrap their product distribution in dignity and education. They don't just hand out pads and tampons; they provide resources and support to help normalise menstruation and empower students. For families connected to a partner school, this programme is a lifeline, offering consistent and discreet access to products right where they are needed most. It’s a truly caring model that looks after the whole student.
Key Information:
- How to Access: Products are distributed directly through participating schools and ECE centres. The website offers a clear application process for education providers who wish to become partners.
- What’s Available: Sanitary pads and tampons, alongside wider support like food and clothing.
- Cost: Completely free for students at partner schools and centres.
6. University of Auckland – 'Got your period?'
For students and staff at the University of Auckland, getting caught short is no longer a stress. The university's 'Got your period?' initiative is a fantastic, well-organised programme designed to provide easy access to free period products right across its campuses. It’s a brilliant example of a large institution stepping up to support its community, ensuring that study and work aren't disrupted by a lack of period care.
What makes this initiative stand out is its thoughtful approach. The university has installed over 50 dispensers in bathrooms for immediate access to pads, and for those wanting reusable options, Student Hubs are stocked with them too. They’ve even created a clever and discreet system where you can use the code word 'monthly meeting' at a Student Hub to collect products without any fuss. This lovely system makes accessing free period products in NZ incredibly straightforward for the university community.
Key Information:
- How to Access: Find dispensers in bathrooms across all campuses or visit any Student Hub and ask for a 'monthly meeting' to discreetly collect products. The website provides a clear list of locations.
- What’s Available: Free pads are available from dispensers, while reusable menstrual products can be collected from Student Hubs.
- Cost: Completely free for all University of Auckland students and staff.
Visit the University of Auckland 'Got your period?' website
7. University of Canterbury – Free period products
For students and staff at the University of Canterbury, finding free period products is made incredibly simple thanks to their dedicated campus-wide initiative. Rather than just offering products in a few central locations, UC provides a clear, user-friendly map detailing dozens of collection points across its Ilam and Dovedale campuses. This ensures that no matter where you are, from the Puaka-James Hight Library to the Engineering Core, dignified access to menstrual care is always nearby.
This approach is wonderfully practical, removing the stress of having to trek across campus when you’re caught unprepared. The process is completely barrier-free; there’s no need to sign up or speak to anyone, just discreetly take what you need. While access is limited to the campus community, it’s an excellent example of how large institutions can effectively provide free period products in NZ, normalising menstrual health and supporting their students’ wellbeing.
Key Information:
- How to Access: Use the online map to find the nearest collection point on campus. Products are available in designated bathrooms and spaces for anyone at the university to take freely.
- What’s Available: Pads and tampons (product types may vary by location).
- Cost: Completely free for University of Canterbury students and staff.
Visit the University of Canterbury – Free period products website
8. VUWSA (Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association)
For students at Victoria University of Wellington, your students’ association has your back when it comes to period care. VUWSA champions menstrual equity on campus by providing multiple ways to access free period products in NZ, ensuring that study isn't disrupted by a lack of supplies. The initiative is a fantastic example of a student-led organisation taking practical steps to support its community’s wellbeing, making products readily available across Kelburn and Pipitea campuses.
What makes VUWSA's approach so thoughtful is its blend of free disposables and subsidised reusables. Students can discreetly grab free pads and tampons from clearly marked locations. For those wanting to make a more sustainable choice, VUWSA partners with Wā Collective to offer subsidised menstrual cups and provides discounts on reusable pads and underwear. This dual approach acknowledges both immediate needs and long-term, eco-friendly preferences, though it's important to remember access is limited to the university community.
Key Information:
- How to Access: Free pads and tampons are available at VUWSA offices and other pickup points on campus. Subsidised and discounted reusables can be accessed through links on their website.
- What’s Available: Free pads and tampons, plus subsidised menstrual cups and discounted reusable period products.
- Cost: Disposable products are free. Reusable options are heavily subsidised or discounted but still require a purchase.
9. Far North District Council Libraries – Dignity partnership
For those in Te Tai Tokerau, Far North District Council Libraries have become wonderfully welcoming community hubs for period care. Through a fantastic partnership with Dignity NZ, local libraries across the district are providing free pads and tampons, no questions asked. This initiative is a brilliant example of how existing public spaces can be used to tackle period poverty, making essential products available to everyone, not just students within a school environment.
What makes this so special is how it normalises accessing support in a safe and familiar place. By placing free period products in NZ libraries, the council is reaching a wide cross-section of the community, from teenagers to older adults who might be facing financial hardship. While it's limited to the Far North and stock depends on the partnership's supply, it’s a powerful, localised solution that demonstrates a real commitment to community wellbeing and dignity.
Key Information:
- How to Access: Visit any participating Far North District Council Library. Products are typically available in bathrooms or other discreet locations.
- What’s Available: Pads and tampons.
- Cost: Completely free for all library visitors.
Visit the Far North District Council website to learn more
10. Sport New Zealand – 'Making sport inclusive: Free period products in clubs'
For anyone involved in community sports, Sport New Zealand offers a fantastic resource that champions menstrual equity right on the field and in the changing rooms. Instead of providing products directly to individuals, this initiative provides clubs with the evidence-based guidance and resources needed to set up their own free period product programmes. It’s a powerful move to break down barriers that stop girls and women from participating in sports, ensuring a period is never a reason to sit on the sidelines.
The guidance is built on a 2024 project with 48 community clubs, so the advice is practical and proven to work. The resources, available through 'The Flow on Effect' hub, empower club members to advocate for and implement free product stations. While access to free period products in NZ through this initiative depends on individual clubs taking up the call, it’s an incredible resource for creating more inclusive and supportive community environments for everyone. It’s a perfect tool for players, parents, or coaches who want to make a real difference in their local club.
Key Information:
- How to Access: This is a resource hub, not a direct provider. Individuals can use the website to find guides and evidence to encourage their local sports club to offer free products.
- What’s Available: Resources, implementation guides, and case studies for community sports clubs.
- Cost: The resources are completely free to access and use.
Visit the Sport New Zealand website
11. The Warehouse Group – Period product donation bins
While not a direct source for free products, The Warehouse Group plays a huge role in community-led menstrual equity through its partnership with The Period Place. This fantastic initiative allows you, as a customer, to easily donate period products while doing your regular shopping. You'll find bright pink donation bins in over 26 stores across both the North and South Islands, making it incredibly simple to contribute.
The system is a brilliant example of corporate-community collaboration. All donated items are collected and then distributed by The Period Place to those in need throughout Aotearoa. This partnership leverages The Warehouse's wide retail footprint to facilitate large-scale community support, which is a key reason initiatives like making period care available in the workplace are gaining momentum. Although you can't pick up items here, knowing where to donate effectively is just as vital for the whole ecosystem of care.
Key Information:
- How to Access: This is a donation point. Customers can purchase and donate products in-store via designated bins. For receiving products, you would need to connect with The Period Place or one of their community partners.
- What’s Available: Any sealed period products that customers choose to donate.
- Cost: Free to donate, though you must purchase the products first. The distributed products are free to recipients.
Visit The Warehouse Group website for more information
12. Hello Period – 'Hello Kindness' donation programme
For those who love supporting brands that give back, Hello Period's 'Hello Kindness' programme is a beautiful example of corporate responsibility in action. This innovative NZ period-care brand channels 2% of its revenue and donates reusable products to organisations tackling period poverty. It’s a wonderful way for your everyday purchases to contribute directly to providing free period products in NZ, supporting community groups like The Period Place.
What makes this initiative stand out is its focus on sustainability and its clever workplace programme. Businesses can sign up to provide products for their staff, and for every employee enrolled, Hello Period donates products to someone in need. While individuals can't get free items directly from their website, this model creates a sustainable, long-term flow of reusable cups and discs to community partners, reducing both waste and period poverty with every purchase.
Key Information:
- How to Access: Free products are distributed through community organisations that receive donations. The website is a great resource for businesses wanting to join the workplace programme or for anyone wanting to support a brand with a strong give-back model.
- What’s Available: Donations primarily focus on reusable menstrual products like cups and discs.
- Cost: Free for individuals receiving them through partner organisations.
Visit the Hello Period ‘Hello Kindness’ website
13. Endo Warriors Aotearoa
Endo Warriors Aotearoa is a grassroots community group dedicated to advocacy, support, and education for people with endometriosis in New Zealand.
Their work is invaluable in breaking the silence around endo, connecting people to free resources, and campaigning for better menstrual health awareness and access.
Their vision is "an Aotearoa where endometriosis is widely understood and those affected receive timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and compassionate care." They aim for menstrual equity, ensuring everyone has access to menstrual products and resources.
Visit the Endo Warriors website and get involved and follow and stay updated via their Instagram: @endowarriorsaotearoa
Free Period Products in NZ: Resource Comparison
| Program / Brand | Core Features / Access | User Experience & Quality ★★★★☆ | Value & Social Impact 💰🏆 | Target Audience 👥 | Unique Selling Points ✨ | Price Point 💰 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimson Organic | GOTS-certified organic tampons, subscription bundles | Hypoallergenic, chemical-free, comfortable | Over 110,000 tampons donated; zero-waste packaging | NZ schools & students | Official government supplier; flexible tailored supply | Free through schools |
| Ministry of Education – Ikura | Free pads, tampons, liners; dispensers or school office | Standard period products; stable supply till 2028 | Nationwide free access for opted-in schools | NZ state & state-integrated schools | Long-term government-funded program | Free |
| Dignity NZ – Community Support | Buy-One-Give-One; workplace/public venue supplies | Organic options; educational materials included | 1.4M+ items gifted; workplace & community focus | Community groups, workplaces | Extensive partnership network; workplace product setup | Free via partners |
| The Period Place | Pads, tampons, cups, reusable pads & underwear | Mix of disposable & reusable; advocacy focus | Collaboration with retailers; volunteer opportunities | Communities & charity partners | Large scale with retail partnerships | Free through partners |
| KidsCan | Education videos + free sanitary products | Dignity-focused, reliable supply | Long-term support to low-equity schools | Low-equity NZ schools & ECEs | Combines education with product | Free |
| University of Auckland – 'Got your period?' | Free pads dispensers & reusable products on campus | Immediate access; discreet collection system | Inclusive focus on disposables & reusables | UoA students & staff | Over 50 dispensers; discreet coding system | Free |
| University of Canterbury – Free period products | Map of free product points on campus | Simple no-signup access | Maintained resource for student support | UC students & staff | Barrier-free, location-specific guide | Free |
| VUWSA (Victoria University Students’ Assoc) | Free pads/tampons + subsidised reusable products | Student-focused, discreet | Discounts on reusable products | VUW students & staff | Subsidised sustainable options | Free + subsidised sales |
| Far North District Council Libraries – Dignity | Free pads & tampons in public libraries | Public, accessible community spaces | Supports underserved socio-economic communities | General public, Far North District | Public access beyond schools | Free |
| Sport New Zealand – Clubs | Guidelines/resources for free period stations in clubs | Evidence-based benefits: confidence & inclusion | National-level menstrual equity advocacy | Community sport clubs | Focus on female participation in sports | N/A (guidance only) |
| The Warehouse Group – Donation bins | In-store donation bins for product donations | Easy public participation; no direct free product access | Partnership with The Period Place for distribution | Retail customers & donor community | Public donate-while-you-shop convenience | Donation only |
| Hello Period – 'Hello Kindness' | Donations of reusable products + workplace programs | Focus on reusable; corporate giving | 2% revenue donated; workplace education | Employers, community organizations | Brand-led sustainability & giving program | Workplace program tied |
You've Got This: A Community of Care is Here for You
Navigating your cycle can feel overwhelming at times, but as we've explored, a powerful network of care and support spans the length of Aotearoa. This guide has journeyed through a wide array of resources, from the nationwide government initiative in schools to grassroots charity movements and proactive university campuses. It’s truly heartwarming to see so many organisations dedicated to upholding dignity and smashing the barriers of period poverty.
The landscape of access to free period products in NZ is diverse and growing. Whether you're a student grabbing supplies between lectures, a community member visiting your local library, or a parent thankful for school-based support, help is always closer than you might think. Remember, reaching out for these resources is an act of self-care and strength.
Key Takeaways and Your Next Steps
To make the most of this information, let’s recap the crucial points and map out your next move. Every situation is unique, so finding the right support system is key.
- For Students and Parents: The Ministry of Education’s Ikura programme is your primary point of contact. If your school is participating, products should be readily and discreetly available. For tertiary students, check your university's specific programme, like those at the University of Auckland or University of Canterbury, or connect with your students' association, such as VUWSA.
- For Community-Wide Support: Organisations like The Period Place and Dignity NZ are incredible hubs of information and distribution. Their websites are the best place to find a local partner or donation point near you, making them fantastic resources for anyone in need.
- For Donors and Advocates: If you're in a position to help, your contribution can make a huge difference. Consider dropping off products at The Warehouse Group's donation bins or supporting the "Hello Kindness" programme from Hello Period. Your generosity fuels this entire ecosystem of care.
Finding What Works for You
Think about your specific needs. Are you looking for a one-off emergency supply, or do you need more consistent support? A community library partnership might be perfect for a temporary fix, while connecting with a larger charity could provide more ongoing assistance.
Don't hesitate to explore the websites of these organisations. They are built by passionate people who genuinely want to help and will guide you with kindness and without judgement. We hope this comprehensive guide empowers you to find exactly what you need, reminding you that a whole community has your back. You've got this.
For those moments when you want to supplement these community resources with your own supply, or if you're looking to support a brand that gives back, consider Crimson Organic. We offer beautiful, certified organic period care delivered to your door and are deeply committed to menstrual equity in New Zealand. Explore our range and our mission at Crimson Organic.
