A Te Tau Ihu tribe is giving $50 back-to-school grants to tamariki and rangatahi.
Ngati Kuia was offering money to children aged between 5 and 18 to help pay towards the cost of a uniform, stationary, and school fees.
The top of the South Island iwi said it was a way of distributing its putea among its people.
Its chair, Waihaere Mason, said the allowance was popular.
He said they had a very good response from large families who needed the money.
The iwi was also offering scholarships for students studying at tertiary level.
