Is it time to ban unhealthy drinks from schools?
The government wants feedback on a plan to outlaw fizz and all other sugary drinks from primary schools, meaning water, milk and non-dairy alternatives will be the only things kids can swig back on site.
It says dental decay is now the most conmmon disease reported in our children and a quarter of their sugar intake is from sweetened beverages.
And you can add to that growing rates of obesity.
Beach Haven Primary in Auckland has already made the switch.
Principal Stephanie Thompson said getting feedback from parents will be a good start, however, she believes most will support the proposal.
The policy has been in place at her school for at least eight years and was prompted by a drinks dispenser in the canteen that was selling drinks that were too sugary.
The school consulted parents first before taking action.
"When you do something like this it's really important to work with your community."
Students know that it is water only and if they do bring a sugary drink to school it becomes an opportunity to have a health discussion - pointing out there are 16 teaspoons of sugar in one 600ml bottle.
"It's a really good opportunity in your health programme to have a conversation about why water is better for their brain and better for them at school.
"Once it's in place [the no fizz policy] it's really not an issue because everyone's on board."
While the water-only rule is enforced at school, it still leaves children free to drink the likes of cheap colas outside of school hours.
Thompson said within school time children can be made to see the advantages of drinking water or low-fat milk so they can be "the best they can be" for their education.
"The science is quite clear that sugar is not good for kids so anything we can do to help make the job of the teacher better and the learning of the students better I think we have an obligation to do that."
As for staff, they use the water coolers.
