Two top Auckland schools have been told to stop asking for money from parents, for putting their children in out-of-zone ballots.

The order comes from the Ministry of Education, after parents complained about the practice at Auckland Grammar and Cornwall Park District School.

Auckland Grammar was charging $50 dollars for a ticket in the ballot, at Cornwall Park it was $75 dollars a head.

Schools across the region have now been sent a sharply worded reminder that they're not allowed to charge for the ballots.

Newstalk ZB understands there's negligible cost to the schools.

Ballots are often a case of slips of paper being drawn from a rubbish tin, overseen by a community constable.