An increasing number of schools are asking parents to add laptop computers to their back-to-school shopping list.
This year, state school Wellington High School has taken the unusual step of making laptops compulsory for its Year 9 students.
Seven schools in Tamaki are asking all parents to lease netbooks for students in years five to 13.
The computers range in cost from $500 to more than $1000.
The Secondary Principals Association says schools have to be careful they stay within the Education Act when developing their computer policy.
"The Act's quite clear that people should not be disadvantaged because of their socio-economic status from achieving everything that's possible in a school," association president Patrick Walsh says.
Mr Walsh says schools would have to make some provision for those who can't afford laptops to be able to have access to them.
Wellington High School principal Prue Kelly says the computers are "the way of the future" and she expects more schools will soon require them.
Ms Kelly says although parents have to pay at least $720 for the laptops, the school has no uniform costs.
