Here’s to our teachers: strong maths gains and signs of improvement in reading

MEDIA RELEASE

14 October 2026

Here’s to our teachers: strong maths gains and signs of improvement in reading

The Parents’ Alliance has congratulated teachers on new assessment results showing primary and intermediate students have made about a third of a year’s extra progress in maths between 2024 and 2026, with smaller gains in reading.

The Progressive Achievement Test (PAT) data, released today by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER), also show statistically significant improvements in reading vocabulary and a first small rise in reading comprehension, after a decline that began in the mid-2010s.

The results add to a growing body of evidence of improvement, especially in maths. Phonics checks show the share of Year 1 children meeting expectations at the 20-week check rose from 36% to 58% between Term 1 and Term 3 of 2025, with improvement across every ethnic group and every school equity band.

Curriculum Insights found the share of Year 6 students at or above curriculum expectations rose by 5 percentage points in writing and 6 in maths between 2024 and 2025. And PISA 2025 shows the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged 15-year-olds has narrowed since 2022, mostly because disadvantaged students achieved more.

“This is fantastic news for Kiwi kids, and it’s a credit to our teachers,” said Parents’ Alliance Chair Cameron Bagrie. “In a short space of time they have taken on a lot – a new curriculum, new teaching approaches and new assessments. The results they have achieved are encouraging.”

“PAT is an independent test that schools have used for decades. After years of stagnation, maths is now heading in the right direction. It’s improving right across the board: at every year level, in every region and for every ethnic group. Parents have been worried about maths for a long time, so that’s great to see.”

“Having teachers guided by and trained to deliver a strong curriculum most directly determines what children learn.  Regular assessment tells teachers and parents how children are doing, and it needs to be early enough to do something about it. It also holds the system to account, showing which children are being left behind so support goes where it’s needed.”

“Parents will always stand up for regular assessment. It isn’t about labelling children. It’s about making sure none slip through the cracks.”

“The 2025 and 2026 PAT results are the first since the mandatory hour a day of reading, writing and maths began, and both show maths rising. Our poll this week found 74% of New Zealanders back the requirement, and only 15% oppose it. Parents don’t want to go backwards.”

“The gains are a strong start, not a finish line. We need them to continue, and to reach the children who need them most. Students in schools facing the greatest socioeconomic barriers are still more than a year’s learning behind those in schools facing the fewest, and the recent maths gains haven’t narrowed that gap. Phonics results in our most disadvantaged schools have improved, but around two in three children in those schools are still below expectations.”

“That means more learning support for children with additional needs. It means more equity funding for schools serving low socioeconomic communities, with clear accountabilities. It means more targeted help like small group tutoring and intervention teachers, because we know it works. And it means effective professional learning and development (PLD) for teachers to help them use the new curriculum most effectively for our kids.”

“Our teachers have done the hard yards implementing the Government’s changes, and deserve continued training, good resources and the support to keep teaching the basics. The rollout of the new curriculum and teaching methods also needs ongoing support.” 

“Every child, whatever their background, deserves to leave primary school able to read, write and do maths with confidence. These results show we’re on the right track. Here’s to our teachers!”

ENDS

Media contact: Cameron Bagrie, Chair and Spokesperson, The Parents’ Alliance 027 290 9844

About the Parents' Alliance: The Parents’ Alliance Te Kotahitanga o ngā Mātua, Le Lotogatasi o Mātua, 家长联盟, पारिवारिक मंच is a national group building a collective voice for parents, grandparents and whānau in education.

More information: parentsalliance.nz