Attendance rates rising but not good enough

27 Mar 2025

Associate Education Minister David Seymour says this Government has prioritised student attendance and as a result we’ve seen every term in 2024 record higher attendance than in 2023.

In Term 4 of 2024 58.1 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.1 percentage points from 53 per cent in Term 4 of 2023. Attendance rates across all equity index groups increased from 2023 to 2024.

“Every region has recorded an increase in attendance. I would like to give a special shoutout to North and West Auckland and South and South-West Auckland for recording the biggest improvements, of 6.6 per cent each,” says Mr Seymour

“While there’s more work to be done, these numbers are another step in the right direction to achieving the Government’s goal of ensuring 80 per cent of students are present more than 90 per cent of the term by 2030.

“I’m encouraged to see attendance rates continuing to increase steadily for all students, including those facing the most socio-economic barriers.

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Key issues

HEALTH SERVICES AND SYSTEMS

Covering developments in the provision, funding and organisation of health care services.

EQUITY

Exploring the impacts of the health system on minorities within the population, notably including Māori, Pacifica, Asians and LGBTQI.

DRUGS, DEVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS

Covering prescription medicines and medical devices.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Focusing on efforts to promote health and prevent disease through social and economic interventions.

DIGITAL HEALTH

Exploring the potential digital transformation to provide a more connected and accessible health system.

TE TIRITI

Monitoring how the health reforms and the performance of the health sector uphold Te Tiriti obligations.