New entrants, from left, Lennox Skipper, 5, Sophie Mason, 5, and Dori Dehar, 5, receive their education starter packs from Ngati Apa on Wednesday.

An iwi has launched a new project to make sure children starting primary school have the right stationery on their first day.

Top of the South iwi Ngati Apa ki te Ra To has funded free education starter packs for their 5-year-olds, and gave away the first three on Wednesday.

Marlborough woman Emma-Jaye King​ said the initiative made the process of her son Lennox starting school much less stressful.

"I think it's awesome. It's a great way to encourage them in a new beginning."

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The education starter packs included a back pack, a book folder, school books, pens and pencils, but varied depending on the stationery list issued by the pupil's school.

Iwi trustee and education committee member Margaret Bond said the packs were a great way to show the children their iwi supported them in their education.

"For some families, finding the money for the stationery and other resources their children are required to have can be difficult, so this is another way that the iwi can help all our kids feel proud about who they are and where they are from, and take away any worries about the expense."

Warehouse Stationery helped to create the packs, using their database of stationery lists for every school in the country.

Parents could spend about $60 on stationery for their child, though the list varied from school to school.

Iwi communication and engagement manager Kirk MacGibbon said he hoped the branded back packs would give the children a way to recognise each other at school.

"They'll see the bags, and they'll know they're both from Ngati Apa, and they'll connect."

About 40 Ngati Apa children were expected to start school this year, from Seddon to Waikawa, MacGibbon said.

Iwi could pick up their packs by dropping into the Seymour St office, or iwi members living outside Marlborough could contact the trust to have one sent, he said.

The trust's education committee was considering extending the project to intermediate and high school students, MacGibbon said.

It already granted funding towards tertiary fees for iwi members, with $20,000 granted last year.