New Zealand Launches ‘Make It Write’ Action Plan to Supercharge Student Writing Achievement

The New Zealand Government has unveiled a bold new Writing Action Plan aimed at reversing declining writing achievement among students. With fresh data revealing a worrying trend…only 24% of Year 8 students meet expected writing benchmarks, the ‘Make It Write’ initiative introduces targeted strategies to ensure Kiwi kids develop strong writing skills for lifelong success.  

Declining Writing Achievement  

Recent 2024 baseline data shows a concerning drop in writing proficiency as students progress through school:  

- 41% of Year 3 students meet expected levels  

- 33% of Year 6 students are on track  

- Just 24% of Year 8 students achieve the benchmark  

- 61% of Year 8 students are more than a year behind  

Education Minister Erica Stanford acknowledges the issue, stating:  

“This data confirms what many parents, teachers and the Government already know: we’re not where we need to be. Writing is a critical skill for learning, thinking and communicating—we must do better.”

The ‘Make It Write’ Action Plan  

1. Writing Acceleration Tool for Years 6–8  

From Term 1, 2025, schools will have access to a new Writing Acceleration Tool, designed to support 120,000 students in Years 6–8 who are below expected writing levels. This digital resource will:  

• Help teachers provide explicit writing instruction  

• Allow real-time progress tracking  

• Enable tailored teaching adjustments based on student needs  

2. Structured Literacy Training for Intermediate & Secondary Teachers  

Every intermediate and secondary school will receive funding to train a structured literacy intervention teacher. This specialized training will:  

• Focus on evidence-based methods for older students  

• Support small-group interventions for struggling writers  

• Complement existing Years 0–6 structured literacy programs  
  

3. New Handwriting Teacher Guidance  

To strengthen foundational skills, the Ministry of Education will release Handwriting Teacher Guidance for Years 0–8, aligned with the refreshed English curriculum. Research shows that clear handwriting supports cognitive development and memory retention, helping students write fluently and confidently.  

A Whole-System Approach to Lifting Achievement  

The ‘Make It Write’ plan builds on recent education reforms, including:  

• Mandating at least one hour of daily literacy instruction

• Introducing structured literacy in all schools  

• Rolling out a world-leading English curriculum  

“Every student deserves the chance to succeed at school and beyond,” says Minister Stanford. “Our education reforms ensure that no child is left behind”, he added.

With these measures in place, the Government aims to:  

• Close the writing achievement gap  

• Equip teachers with better tools  

• Prepare students for future success  

Parents, educators and schools can expect further updates as the Writing Acceleration Tool and teacher training programs roll out in 2025.