Tampons or pads can cost a woman between $5 and $15 a week.

Giving women a tax break on sanitary products such as tampons and sanitary pads could be part of the Government's plan to create a "better and fairer" tax system for all New Zealanders.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced a new working tax group on Thursday, which he said would have a "wide mandate" to look at New Zealand's tax system.

One of the considerations would be GST and what goods and services the tax is added to.

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF Robertson said the Government's new tax working group would have a wide mandate.

When asked if the group would consider removing the goods and services tax (GST) from women's products, Robertson said "it's up to the working group", but he would not be "taking anything on or off the table".

"If the working group decide to go down that path we'll be happy to do that, what we are saying is the rate for GST is not to be included in [the discussions of the working group]," Robertson said.

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If the working group could come deliver a concrete step forward earlier than planned, the Government would consider acting, he said.

Last year it was reported some young Kiwi women were skipping classes when they have their period because they couldn't afford to buy sanitary products.

Labour MP Louisa Wall said some women stayed home from university or school because they couldn't afford to buy tampons or pads, which can cost a woman between $5 and $15 a week.

SUPPLIED Comedienne Michelle A'Court says menstruation isn't a choice.

"Female sanitary products aren't a luxury, but for young Kiwi women on tight budgets they're an expense that's hard to afford," the Manurewa MP said.

Previously Michèle A'Court, one of New Zealand's most decorated comedians, spoke out on how much it costs to be a female.

"We used to talk about... how we feel about sexism, but now we're looking at the dollar value of it," she said.



A'Court wrote that not only do women earn less than men, they also incur unavoidable, gendered costs. "Menstruation isn't a choice, it's a biological imperative," she wrote.

A'Court went on to estimate the average cost of tampons over a woman's lifetime at more than $4500 – "roughly the price of a 2005 Toyota Rav4 with 140,000km on the clock."

New York state was last year forced to repeal a tax on tampons and pads after a backlash that the tax was sexist.

Female legislators had complained other personal products, including condoms and bandages, are tax-free.

The new law exempts tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners from the 4 per cent state sales tax and from local taxes that generally are about 5 per cent.

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