Achievement gains for Māori students highlight new national mathematics data

New Zealand primary and intermediate students have made the equivalent of four months' additional progress in mathematics between 2024 and 2026, according to new independent assessment results released on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. The data, provided by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER), indicates a statistically significant improvement in core subjects across the country. Education Minister Erica Stanford highlighted that for Māori children, the percentage of students achieving at expected levels rose from 25% to 39%. The latest Progressive Achievement Test (PAT) data also showed a 5% improvement in writing and a 6% improvement in mathematics specifically for Year 6 students between 2024 and 2025. These results follow the implementation of government reforms focused on structured literacy and numeracy, which include a requirement for one hour of mathematics instruction daily. Ms. Stanford stated that the number one priority for the government has been raising achievement and closing the equity gap. She noted that the PAT results add to a growing body of evidence, including recent phonics checks and Curriculum Insights, suggesting that Aotearoa is turning achievement levels around despite global trends of declining performance. To support these gains, the government has overhauled the mathematics curriculum to be knowledge-rich and internationally benchmarked. This transition has been supported by training for more than 22,000 teachers in structured maths and the provision of new textbooks and resources. Additionally, students enrolled in maths acceleration programmes have reportedly made up to two years' progress in just 12 weeks. The Minister credited these results to giving teachers the tools and support needed to teach fundamental skills effectively.