# Government's attendance goal doable by 2030

> New Zealand's education ministry says school attendance target likely met by 2030 but literacy and numeracy goals remain at risk.
- Title: Government's attendance goal doable by 2030 · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: New Zealand's education ministry says school attendance target likely met by 2030 but literacy and numeracy goals remain at risk. New Zealand's education…
- Keywords: new zealand, education ministry, school attendance, literacy, numeracy, year 8 students, attendance target, curriculum levels, politics, news, Government's, attendance
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/education/2197862/government-s-attendance-goal-doable-literacy-and-numeracy-unlikely
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-27T17:25:07+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: new zealand, education ministry, school attendance, literacy, numeracy, year 8 students, attendance target, curriculum levels, politics, news
## Attendance target likely met
The Education Ministry says the government will probably achieve its school attendance target by 2030.
## Literacy and numeracy at risk
The ministry's 2026 annual report states literacy and numeracy targets are at risk for Year 8 students.
## Current attendance levels
As of 30 June 2026, 64.3 percent of students attended school for more than 90 percent of Term Two.
## Literacy and numeracy gaps
45 percent of Year 8 students met reading levels, 28 percent writing, and 24 percent maths as of 30 June 2026.
## Māori education focus
The ministry prioritises strengthening education for Māori learners, who make up 25 percent of the student population.
## Key takeaway

New Zealand's education ministry expects to meet school attendance targets by 2030 but literacy and numeracy levels for Year 8 students are below expected standards.