Attendance, achievement and assessment #

Continuing to work together to increase attendance#

In Term 3, we used attendance data to identify the schools and kura at greatest risk of not achieving the attendance target. Our teams focused on working alongside those schools and kura to understand how to support their efforts to improve attendance. We will continue with this data-informed, targeted approach in Term 4.

The process includes systematic analysis of eight attendance data sets including regular and daily attendance, unjustified absences, and chronic non-attendance. We won’t be publishing school-level information.

This analytics-driven model enables our regional teams to prioritise schools. It provides a starting point for a discussion about the challenges you face and where attendance supports or services from us may be useful.

Available supports include the stepped attendance response (STAR), attendance management plans, attendance policies and procedures, data and coding issues, connections to attendance services, whānau and community engagement, and attendance leadership and governance.

Attendance service provider contracts#

Last week the Associate Minister of Education, Hon David Seymour, announced the awarding of contracts to 83 attendance service providers around the motu, and that 170 schools with high numbers of chronically absent students had been awarded contracts to provide additional in-school support to these students.

The awarding of these contracts is part of a wider reform of attendance services, which also includes the development of a new case management system. Budget 2025 allocated $123 million in additional funding to support these frontline services over the next 4 years.

You can read more about the contracts.

New attendance service provider contracts awarded

Education Review Office attendance report#

A new Education Review Office (ERO) report into school attendance in New Zealand has been released. It finds that the attitudes of both ākonga | students and parents to school attendance are improving, but there’s more to be done. Some key findings are:

• 73% of students now think daily attendance is important, compared to 67% in 2022
• the percentage of parents who are comfortable keeping their child off school for a week or more in a term has fallen to 31% compared to 41% in 2022.

To read the report, visit the page.

Education Review Office report on school attendance released

Register for the Curriculum Roadshow for Leaders#

The Curriculum Roadshow starts on 20 October. If you’re considering attending, now is the time to secure your free spot in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington or Christchurch.

The roadshow will provide you with practical strategies to support your team through curriculum change, along with a resource package to guide planning with kaiako | teachers after the roadshow.

We encourage attendees (including those attending online sessions) to submit questions for the panel on the roadshow website, ahead of 20 October.

Curriculum Roadshow for Leaders – Plan my Event

The use of artificial intelligence tools for marking NCEA assessment#

We’ve worked with NZQA to update our guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for marking. The guidance follows and promotes a principles-based approach around 3 key principles:

• teacher responsibility and professional judgement
• human oversight
• appropriate use.

The guidance affirms that the teacher-student relationship remains central, so use of AI tools for marking should support, not replace, the professional judgement of a teacher.

Read the guidance.

Generative AI

Reminder – Order Ministry-funded maths resources for Term 1 delivery#

From now until 26 October, all eligible schools can order Ministry-funded maths resources via Salesforce for their Year 0 to 8 students, for Term 1 2026 delivery.

If you ordered resources for 2025, you still need to place another order on Salesforce for 2026. This is so you receive top-up resources and digital licenses for 2026.

More information about ordering resources is available on Tāhūrangi.

Ordering Ministry-funded maths resources – Tāhūrangi

Maths supports Years 0 to 8  #

All 3 maths and pāngarau programmes for Years 0 to 8 are now active:

• Applications are still open until 24 October for the Year 7 to 8 maths and hāpai pāngarau Tau 7 and 8 acceleration programme. It focuses on addressing gaps in maths and pāngarau understanding and accelerating maths learning.

Maths and pāngarau Years 7 and 8 intervention – Tāhūrangi

• A pilot of the He Tirohanga Aronga Tauearly | maths and pāngarau check, is underway with 10 schools and kura, with the check planned to launch at the end of next year.
• You were notified last week of the outcomes of applications for maths and pāngarau FTTE staffing to support the delivery of a new 12-week programme for Tau 0 to 6 | Years 0 to 6.

Maths and pāngarau Year 2 check – Tāhūrangi

Tīrewa Mātai: Delivery partner appointed#

We have appointed Rangahau Mātauranga o Aotearoa (NZCER) in partnership with Te Wānanga o Raukawa to develop Tīrewa Mātai. This is the first national monitoring study for mokopuna learning through te reo Māori.

The study will measure progress at Tau 3, 6, and 8 against the redesigned Te Marautanga o Aotearoa. Phase 1 focuses on te reo rangatira and pāngarau, with a report due by March 2026.

Tīrewa Mātai will give a fuller picture of teaching and learning across Aotearoa.

Delivery partner appointed to develop Tīrewa Mātai - Tāhūrangi

Applications for cohort 3 targeted structured literacy approaches PLD#

A reminder that enrolments for cohort 3 of Ministry-funded professional learning and development (PLD) for structured literacy approaches (SLA) for targeted teaching will close on 24 October.

Enrolments are open to those receiving the staffing entitlement for Year 0 to 6 literacy support. Any staff member who holds the SLA staffing resource role can enrol for this PLD.

To find out how to enrol, and for a list of approved providers of this PLD, email us or visit the website.

Email: [email protected]

SLA PLD for targeted teaching to support the Years 0–6 staffing entitlement teachers

Cohort 7 PLD for structured literacy approaches and te reo matatini open for applications#

Applications for cohort 7 of Ministry-funded PLD for structured literacy approaches and Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā (structured te reo matatini) are now open.

Cohort 7 is open to teachers of Years 0 to 8 learners and will prioritise those that have not had any prior training in explicit teaching.

Applications will close on 31 October.

Cohort 7 PLD will be delivered over Terms 1, 2 and 3 of 2026.

For more information visit the PLD website.

PLD for structured literacy and te reo matatini approaches – Professional Learning and Development

Health, safety and wellbeing#

Protecting children from harm#

On 9 October, the Government announced it will accept and work at pace to act on the recommendations of the Dame Karen Poutasi review into the children’s system response to abuse.

The Poutasi review highlighted that multiple layers of government systems and processes needed to be improved to put child safety first.

The announcement, by Minister for Child Poverty Reduction Louise Upston, sets the direction of travel for implementing all the recommendations.

Strengthened system protects children from harm – Beehive.govt.nz

Initial work will begin on a mandatory training programme for designated workforces, so people clearly know how to identify and report child abuse. This will occur before further system change is introduced.

Current training and reporting processes will continue to operate under current settings. The more detailed design will be subject to further Cabinet decisions expected before the end of the year.

Dame Karen Poutasi independent review of the children’s system – Oranga Tamariki

Ikura free period products#

No student should miss out on school because they do not have access to period products. Ikura free period products are available in schools to support all menstruating students throughout their entire cycle.

You can access the Ikura initiative by emailing us.

Email: [email protected]

To order additional products, contact your OfficeMax representative or email us.

Email: [email protected]

Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunch programme#

All contributing primary schools will move to the new model, providing good value and nutritious meals, from Term 1, 2026.

The request for proposal for external suppliers to deliver lunch to 196 contributing primary schools is progressing well, and external model schools will be updated at the end of this month.

Contributing primary schools

Free sign language interpreters for Deaf parents#

We contract Wordsworth Interpreting to provide free NZSL interpreters for Deaf parents attending parent-teacher interviews, assemblies, enrolment and disciplinary meetings and school productions. This helps parents fully participate in their child’s education.

To request an interpreter for your events, visit the website.

Book an interpreter or request a quote – Wordsworth

Let the Deaf parents know that an interpreter has been booked so they are aware it is worth attending. Early planning and preparation make a big difference.

For more information, visit the websites.

Top tips – Wordsworth

Interpreters for Deaf parents at school

Escape. Hide. Tell: What to do in an armed offender attack in a crowded place#

The New Zealand Government has launched a campaign to help people stay safe in the unlikely event of an armed offender attack in a crowded place.

Remember: Escape. Hide. Tell:

• Escape if it’s safe.
• Hide and silence your phone.
• Tell Police by calling 111 when safe.

Start the kōrero with your whānau, workplace or community.

More information can be found on the New Zealand Police website.

Know what to do: Escape. Hide. Tell – New Zealand Police

Workforce and resourcing#

Strike action planned#

We are currently in collective agreement bargaining with union advocates for a number of collective agreements that cover staff in primary schools including principals, teachers, support staff, kaiārahi i te reo and therapists.

NZEI Te Riu Roa have indicated a full day of strike action will take place on 23 October, although a formal notice of strike action has yet to be issued by the union.

We have received notice from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association Te Wehengarua (PPTA) that members covered by the Area School Teachers’ and Secondary School Teachers’ Collective Agreements will be partially striking by refusing to teach Years 7 and 9 on 14 October.

We also understand that PPTA members are likely to partially strike for the following year levels and dates, however formal notices will not be received until three days prior to industrial action being taken:

• Wednesday 15 October: Years 8 and 10
• Thursday 16 October: Years 11 and 12
• Friday 17 October: Year 13.

Boards and principals have specific responsibilities and decisions to make when there is planned strike action. This includes the decision to remain open for instruction if it is safe to do so. Read about how to prepare for the strike here.

Industrial action guidance for school boards – NZSBA

Teaching and Learning International Survey: 2024 findings released#

The first New Zealand report for the OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS 2024) is now available, providing an update on information last collected late in 2017.

TALIS has previously focused on teachers of Years 7 to 10, but New Zealand teachers of Years 1 to 6 were included for the first time in 2024, enabling a broader picture of the system.

TALIS collected information on a range of topics such as the educational use of technology including AI, access to and need for PLD, wellbeing measures, resourcing issues, and professional practices.

TALIS 2024: TALIS findings for New Zealand – Education Counts

Resourcing deadlines#

All staffing applications#

The deadline for all staffing applications and funding code changes for the 2025 banking staffing year is 5pm, 28 November. This includes beginning teachers, specialist classroom teachers, staffing transfers and staffing roll increase applications.

Applications should be emailed.

Email: [email protected]

Key dates for school staffing and funding

Banking staffing and funding code changes

You should try to achieve a nil banking staffing balance by pay period 22.

Use the balancing period (pay periods 23 to 26) to help manage any under- or over-use.

The deadline for submitting any retrospective banking staffing adjustments for the 2025 banking staffing year is 5pm, 28 November.

If you have had teachers on study/sabbatical award codes during the year, do check that they have been coded correctly.

Managing staffing usage (banking staffing)

Apply for a funding code adjustment or a banking staffing credit

Surplus staffing applications

Your school can apply to us for staffing support if you have a reduction in your staffing of at least one full-time teacher equivalent (FTTE) and have met the conditions necessary to receive this support.

Apply for surplus staffing support

Extraordinary roll growth applications

If your school roll has grown beyond what you are funded for, you may be eligible for extraordinary roll growth funding. Applications are open from 3 to 28 November.

Extraordinary roll growth funding

Provisional roll review applications

We published provisional rolls in Pourato on 12 September. Your board has until 14 November to request a review.

Apply for a provisional roll review

Learning Support Coordinator role information pack#

Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) role information is now available to support those who are recruiting for in-school LSCs in 2026.

The LSC allocation for 2026 will be updated in Pourato by 20 October. Eligible schools will see their allocation under ‘staffing > staffing entitlement’. You can find more information about the allocation.

Learning support coordinators in schools

If you are not sure when your school is receiving LSC staffing entitlement, check your regional list.

Applications for Aspiring Principal Programme closing 29 October#

Interest in the 2026 Aspiring Principal Programme launched in September is growing. But it is not too late to apply.

We welcome applications from senior school staff wanting to step up to a principal role in the next 2 to 3 years and have the support of their principal to apply for this exciting new training programme.

Find out how to apply at:

Aspiring Principal Programme – Education Workforce

HO3 proposed funding agreements#

H03 proposed funding agreements will now be available from the Secure Data Portal where schools currently view H07 Tax Invoices.

Final-year Fees Free has moved to Inland Revenue#

Inland Revenue is now responsible for supporting learners with final-year Fees-Free information, assessing learner eligibility, and making payments.

Direct your learners to Fees Free information on Inland Revenue’s website.

Fees Free – Inland Revenue

If you have Fees Free content on your website or in your communication materials, update them to reflect this change.

Learner support moves to Inland Revenue on 6 October – final-year Fees Free – Tertiary Education Commission

Governance, planning and infrastructure#

Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) update including extending strategic plan dates#

In September, the Education and Workforce Committee reported back on the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) (ETAB 2).

The Committee made recommendations to ETAB 2 to:

• require schools’ attendance plans to detail how the school intends to address student absences and underlying causes
• extend the start date for boards’ next strategic plans by a year from 1 January 2026 to 1 January 2027. This means that boards will not be required to have a new strategic plan in 2026. Boards will still have to prepare their annual implementation plan for 2026 and submit their annual reports for the 2025 year.

The Bill is expected to pass by the end of this year.

For more information on ETAB 2 and its proposals, visit the website.

Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2)

Complete the form for Property Maintenance Grant (PMG) one-off top-up#

A reminder to submit the form to access your one-off Property Maintenance Grant (PMG) top-up by 31 October.

This one-off top-up is for essential building maintenance activities to be completed before the end of the Term 1 2026 school holidays.

Property maintenance grant one-off top-up fund

Kia Manawaroa education pānui#

Kia Manawaroa is our dedicated newsletter for whānau Māori, sharing opportunities, updates and information about education. Issue 9 is out now. Share this free pānui with your communities.

Kia Manawaroa Issue 9 – Mailchimp

Subscribe to Kia Manawaroa – Mailchimp

For feedback or story ideas, email us.

Email: [email protected]

Matavai Pacific education e-newsletter#

Matavai is our monthly e-newsletter featuring the latest Pacific education updates, stories and upcoming events. Share this with Pacific parents, carers and communities through your early learning centre.

Matavai Issue 7 – Mailchimp

Subscribe to Matavai – Mailchimp

For feedback or story ideas, email us.

Email: [email protected]