The Labour Party says it will provide schools in poorer areas with laptops and tablet computers if it forms the next Government.
The commitment is part of Labour's education policy, released in Hamilton on Thursday.
[image:3682:half:right]Labour says it would fund the purchase of about 31,000 mobile computing devices for low decile school students in years 7 to 13.
The policy would cost $75 million over four years and would be funded in part by cutting spending on private scholarships, a sports programme and what Labour says are ineffective truancy measures.
The party's leader, Phil Goff, said giving children access to new technology is incredibly important.
"This bridges what's called the digital divide. It means that kids don't have to miss out because Mum and Dad can't afford to buy something that's really important to their learning."
Mr Goff said electronic learning is one of the most effective ways to re-engage at risk students.