Attendance target rated probable, Year 8 literacy and numeracy target at risk
The Education Ministry's annual report has assessed the goal of 80% regular school attendance as "probable", while its goal for Year 8 reading, writing and maths has been rated "at risk". Both targets are due to be reached by December 2030, according to the ministry's targets as reported by RNZ.
The first target is for 80% of school children to attend regularly. The second is for 80% of Year 8 students to be at or above the expected curriculum level in reading, writing and maths.
On attendance, 64.3% of New Zealand students were present for more than 90% of Term Two as at 30 June 2026. The annual report said illness accounted for half of all school absences.
On achievement, the report recorded that as at 30 June 2026, 45% of Year 8 students were at expected levels for reading, 28% for writing and 24% for maths. It said achievement rates were "well below the acceptable standard" at both primary and secondary school.
The ministry has been tracking these areas for some time. In 2025, reading, writing and mathematics were assessed across all three foundation areas for the first time. The ministry released action plans for maths, called Make it Count, and for writing, called Make it Write, in 2025 and 2026.
Schools have been required to have an Attendance Management Plan since Term 1 2026. Since Term 1 2024, all students in Years 0–8 have been taught reading, writing and maths for an average of one hour a day in each subject.
The annual report also covered the ministry's spending. It spent $191.4 million on contractors and consultants in the year covered by the report, $6 million less than the year before. Salaries and wages cost $506 million.
