McDonald’s NZ has come under criticism for the way in which Happy Meals are offered to children. In a lengthy post to the McDonald’s Facebook page, Tokoroa mother Imogene Burgess criticised the fast food giant for the gendered way in which they offer Happy Meal toys: “I bet that almost every child in New Zealand has a like or dislike that does not fit inside those ridiculous boxes society calls gender.”
McDonald’s was quick to respond on Facebook, saying “We agree that children should be free to have an interest in whatever toys they like, regardless of their gender. We realise that how our Happy Meals are identified may not be supportive of this." A spokesperson for the company later told Restaurant & Café that in the coming months they will be adding books as an option and will use this situation as an opportunity to look at how they ask customers what option they would like.
