'Unfortunate situation': Why NZ schools are banning Ooshies

Author: Vera Alves,
Publish Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026, 8:00pm

Disney Ooshies, the latest Woolworths promotion, have been banned from schools across New Zealand as staff report distraction and disagreements over the toys. Photo / NZME

Disney Ooshies have been banned in several New Zealand schools after staff noticed the Woolworths’ promotional toys were distracting students and causing disagreements on school grounds.

Wānaka Primary School has sent a notice to parents saying “Ooshies are no longer permitted” at the school, “effective immediately”.

“While we understand how much the children enjoy collecting and trading these items, they have recently caused distractions in the classroom, as well as pending disagreements and lost items during break times,” the school said.

“If students bring them to school, teachers will collect them and hold them safely until the end of the day for a parent or caregiver to collect.”

Māngere Central School has issued a similar notice to parents and caregivers, asking that the collectables stay at home.

A school Facebook post said Ooshies “have become a significant distraction during class time and break times”.

“Because these items are in high demand, we have also had unfortunate situations where they have gone missing or been misplaced, which leads to upset students and lost learning time.”

Colwill School in Massey has also banned Ooshies and the popular squishies.

“To help us keep our classrooms focused, calm and safe, we ask that squishies, Ooshies and similar toys remain at home,” the school posted on social media.

Snells Beach School has also asked that Ooshies, and Pokemon cards and other toys, stay at home.

Cambridge East School said in its newsletter that “this is beginning to cause issues between students” and asked that Ooshies be kept ”safely at home”.

Also in Cambridge, St Peter’s Catholic School banned Ooshies at school but said there would be a specific trading event, at a designated time and date, for people to swap the collectibles.

Takapau School in Hawke’s Bay andWaihopai School in Invercargill have also banned the toys.

Schools in Australia have also had to issue Ooshie notices.

At least two Queensland schools, Somerset College and Bellevue Park State School, have banned the collectible items for the same reasons as New Zealand schools.

This is not the first time New Zealand schools have banned items.

In 2023, multiple schools banned Crocs, Jibbitz and Yu-Gi-Oh cards for similar reasons to Ooshies.

Woolworths’ Ooshies promotion runs until August 23. Shoppers get a collectable toy from a set of 40 Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars characters for every $30 spent.

Woolworths to hold another swap day due to overwhelming demand

A Woolworths Ooshies swap day took place last week, in addition to numerous organised swaps that different communities are hosting across the country.

Woolworths general manager brand and marketing Abbe Hale told the Herald the event was so popular they have scheduled another one before the promotion ends.

“Following a tremendous turnout at our first Swap Day last week, we are holding another nationwide Swap Day from 10am to 12pm on Saturday 22 August.

“This gives collectors a dedicated community space to trade and complete their sets in a way that fits into busy lives.”