School Attendance Rebounds to Post-2022 High, Govt Data Shows

Official figures show that 57.3 per cent of students attended school regularly in Term 4 2025, up from 56.4 per cent in Term 4 2024.

New Zealand’s school attendance rates are continuing to recover, with new data showing the highest Term 4 attendance levels since 2022 and a strong start to 2026, according to Associate Education Minister David Seymour.

Attendance Hits Three-Year High

Official figures show that 57.3 per cent of students attended school regularly in Term 4 2025, up from 56.4 per cent in Term 4 2024. Regular attendance is defined as being present for at least 90 per cent of the school term.

The latest data marks a significant improvement from 48.7 per cent in Term 4 2022, highlighting a steady upward trend over the past three years.

“In Term 4 2025 about 150,000 more students attended school regularly than in 2022,” Seymour said.

“This data shows attendance rates are rising again under this Government.”

Strong Start to 2026

Early indicators from the Government’s daily attendance dashboard suggest momentum is continuing into 2026.

• Lowest daily attendance rate so far in Term 1 2026: 86.4 per cent

• Lowest daily attendance at the same point in 2025: 80.1 per cent

The improvement points to stronger engagement from both students and parents at the start of the academic year.

Regional Leaders in Attendance

Attendance gains have been recorded nationwide, with several regions leading performance:

• Central and East Auckland: 62.6%

• Otago/Southland: 62.5%

• North and West Auckland: 61.7%

• Canterbury/Chatham Islands: 61.7%

These figures reflect regional variations but also demonstrate broad-based improvement across the country.

Mandatory Attendance Plans Introduced

A key driver behind the improvement is the nationwide rollout of Attendance Management Plans (AMPs), now required in every school.

These plans introduce structured, escalating interventions when students begin to miss school:

• 5 days absent: School contacts parents/guardians to identify issues and reinforce expectations

• 10 days absent: Formal meeting with school leadership, parents, and student to address barriers

• 15 days absent: Case escalated to an Attendance Service Provider; continued absence may lead to prosecution

This tiered approach is designed to intervene early and prevent chronic absenteeism.

Data-Driven Enforcement and Accountability

The Government has strengthened frontline attendance services with:

• A new case management system

• Improved data monitoring and tracking

• Tighter performance oversight of service providers

These changes aim to ensure more consistent and effective responses to absenteeism nationwide.

$140 Million Investment to Lift Attendance

Budget 2025 allocated $140 million over four years to improve school attendance, signalling a major policy focus on reversing post-pandemic declines.

The funding supports:

• Enhanced attendance services

• Better data systems

• School-level intervention programmes

• National awareness and engagement efforts

Long-Term Impact on Education and Society

Seymour emphasised that improving attendance is foundational to broader social and economic outcomes.

“Attending school is the first step towards achieving positive educational outcomes,” he said.

Higher attendance is linked to:

• Improved academic achievement

• Better long-term health outcomes

• Higher earning potential

• Greater workforce participation

Momentum Builds, But Challenges Remain

While the upward trend is encouraging, officials acknowledge that attendance rates remain below long-term targets, with further gains needed to reach pre-pandemic norms.

“Attendance rates are back on a steady upward trajectory. This is a good start, but there is still work to be done,” Seymour said.

As attendance initiatives continue to roll out, the Government expects further improvements—placing sustained focus on ensuring every student is present, engaged, and able to succeed.