A Kapiti College student wants New Zealand secondary schools to reconsider policies banning beards.

Anthony McEwan has started an online petition to let year 13 students have facial hair at his school, which is currently against the rules.

Kapiti College Principal Tony Kane is not keen on the idea.

However, Anthony McEwan said it won't stop the students from learning.

"And I just find it stupid how students are forced to shave during critical learning time because that's the school rule," he said. "I just reckon it's stupid and pointless."

McEwan said he feels passionate about it, because he likes to grow facial hair to express himself.

"It's important to me because it's an expression of someone's appearance, like for instance a woman would wear make-up."