Government under-funding is being given as the reason some schools are breaking the law in collecting voluntary donations from parents.

Labour MP Chris Hipkins said the Ministry of Education has written to schools this week warning them against using debt collectors to collect the so-called donations

He's blaming under-funding from the Government, saying it shows schools are now relying on hand-outs from parents to cover their costs.

Mr Hipkins said the use of debt collectors is wrong and that donations are voluntary, plain and simple.