Opinion on the street was mixed, although overwhelmingly in support of a government subsidy.
19 year old Cassie Amos questioned the expense of women's sanitary items, comparing the situation to guys being given condoms for free.
"I do think they are too expensive for something that we're required to have. Condoms are given out to men because they need them, whereas women have to have them (sanitary items)," Amos said.
"If we went to a school nurse, I don't recall being given pads or tampons for free but I've been given more condoms in my life."
"I do think we are almost being penalised. It's not a pleasant experience. Nobody actually likes it (having their period). I don't like to spend $10-$20 if I need quite a few things."
Amos suggested community service card subsidies for tampons could be a way of helping those who needed it most.
However, a student studying here from China said the cost of sanitary products was comparable to New Zealand's higher prices for everything else.
"Everything here is expensive," she said.
She agreed government subsidies would be ideal.