Turning Up Matters: How New Zealand Is Bringing Students Back to School

There’s been a quiet but powerful shift happening in classrooms across Aotearoa. More students are turning up and it’s not just by chance. A renewed focus on school attendance by the New Zealand Government is beginning to pay off, as new data shows changing attitudes among parents, teachers, and young people alike.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the message is simple: when the Government takes attendance seriously, so do Kiwis. The latest Education Review Office (ERO) report backs that up with solid evidence, capturing insights from over 14,600 students, parents, teachers and school leaders.

Improving School Attendance in New Zealand

The numbers tell a strong story. Regular attendance in Term 2 of 2025 hit 58.4%, a leap from 39.6% in Term 2 of 2022. It is a trend that’s been rising every term since this Government took charge and the reasons are clear.

According to the ERO, the first and biggest factor is leadership. Nearly 93% of teachers and school leaders now set clear expectations about attendance and make sure students and families understand why being in school every day matters.

Many schools have gone further, creating their own attendance management plans in line with the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR). By the beginning of 2026, all schools will have similar plans in motion to ensure consistency and accountability nationwide.

It is also heartening to see attitudes shifting among students. Three-quarters now believe that daily attendance is important, compared to two-thirds in 2022. The number of young people who say they “never want to miss school” has nearly doubled, jumping from 15 to 28%. Parents, too, are getting on board. They’re 10 percentage points less likely to be comfortable with their child missing a week or more of school compared to three years ago.

A Stronger System Coming Up

The Government is not slowing down. Starting next year, attendance services will be more accountable and data-driven. A new case management system will track attendance more effectively, while frontline services will be better equipped to handle individual cases.

Budget 2025 also injected $140 million over four years to strengthen attendance support and ensure every school has the right tools to keep students engaged and learning.

As Seymour puts it, turning up to school is more than just about attendance. It is the first step towards better education, health, job stability and community participation. Every student deserves that chance.