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Key to this are strong foundational skills in reading, writing, and maths. These skills allow them to be successful in the broader curriculum learning at school and gain qualifications into further study and employment. This will open doors to fulfilling careers and empower our children to navigate the world confidently.
To track our progress towards improving achievement, the Government has set a target: by December 2030, 80% of Year 8 students are at or above the expected curriculum level for their age in reading, writing and maths.
Six priorities to improve achievement#
The Minister of Education has outlined 6 priorities to improve the education system.
Education priorities focused on lifting achievement – Beehive website
These priorities set the direction for our work programmes and how we will assist schools and kura. So, we can collectively support all students to achieve. This will mean:
- teachers and schools are supported by a detailed, knowledge-rich curriculum and will know what needs to be taught and when
- all students will be learning literacy and mathematics in a way that evidence tells us best supports students to learn
- parents will know about their child’s progress and teachers will know about their students’ progress so they can adjust as needed
- attracting and retaining teachers domestically and from overseas, and better teacher education at every stage of a teacher’s career, from selection and Initial Teacher Education through beginning teachers, experienced teachers, and experts, leaders, and principals
- targeted effective learning support
- better use of data, assessment, and evidence to identify and invest in supports and services that work.
Work programmes underway#
Teaching the Basics Brilliantly#
The 'Teaching the Basics Brilliantly' work programme will lift student outcomes with a coherent, whole-of-pathway approach to assessment and aromatawai. This includes the introduction of SMART (Student Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting Tool) in Term 1, 2026 for Years 3 to 10, and the use of Phonics Checks and Hihira Weteoro for children in Years 1 to 2.
Strengthening The National Curriculum#
We have updated the English and Mathematics & Statistics learning areas as part of the refresh of the New Zealand Curriculum, and Te Reo Rangatira and Pāngarau wāhanga ako as part of the redesigned Te Marautanga o Aotearoa. Drafts of all other learning areas and wāhanga ako were published in Term 4, 2025.
Structured literacy approaches and Rangaranga Reo ā Tā#
We are implementing structured literacy approaches and Rangaranga Reo ā Tā, based on the science of how children learn. Support includes professional learning and development, classroom resources and targeted staffing for Years 0 to 6 (for schools using the New Zealand Curriculum).
Quarterly progress report#
The 2024 Maths results from the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study show that average achievement remained stable between 2023 and 2024 for Year 8 students.
Writing results are available for the first time in 2024. The results show that there’s still work to do to make sure that all students have the fundamental skills and core knowledge they need as they move through primary school.
In 2019, Year 8 Writing was assessed by The National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement (NMSSA) using a comparable paper-based assessment. There was no statistically significant change in the average score between 2019 and 2024 at Year 8, indicating stable performance over time.
The 2024 Curriculum Insights study did not assess reading, but we will get results from Reading, Writing, and Maths annually from 2025 Curriculum Insights, the results of which will be published in 2026.
Government targets – Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)
Percentage of students at or above the expected curriculum level, by subject#
| Year | 2023 Curriculum Insights and Progress Study Year 8 | 2024 Curriculum Insights and Progress Study Year 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 47% | - |
| Maths | 22% | 23% |
| Writing | - | 24% |
Source: 2024 Data Window – NZCER
From 2025, Reading, Writing, and Maths will be assessed and reported on the following year.
While the New Zealand curriculum has changed over time, underlying student performance has not changed from previous years' assessments.
