Frocks and Shocks! Why are school balls so expensive?

Frocks and Shocks! Why are school balls so expensive?

From Afternoons by RNZ

May 1, 2026 · 7 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the high costs associated with school balls and features an interview with a school principal.

We are officially entering school ball season which means the giddy excitement of choosing partners, dresses, suits, make up, party limos and tans. But all of that also means a lot of money and that's after buying the actual ball ticket! An article in the Herald this morning says tickets to Orewa College's upcoming ball were $230 a ticket but after a backlash from parents are now $195. Orewa College isn't the only school dealing with this issue. Here to explain what it's like to hold a school ball, is Principal of Massey High School in Auckland, Alastair Fairley.

People in this episode

Guest: Alastair Fairley

Topics covered

  • school balls
  • expenses
  • education
  • youth culture
  • parental concerns

Keywords

  • school ball
  • expenses
  • tickets
  • Alastair Fairley
  • Orewa College

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Orewa College, Massey High School, Herald

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