New Zealand term‑2 school attendance reaches highest level since 2016

Provisional data for Term 2 2026 shows 64.2 % of New Zealand students attended school regularly – a 5.8 percentage‑point rise from 58.4 % in Term 2 2025 and the strongest figure for any Term 2 since 2016. Associate Education Minister David Seymour said the increase reflects the government’s focus on attendance, with schools now required to have Attendance Management Plans that trigger escalating responses after five, ten and fifteen days of absence, potentially involving attendance service providers or parental prosecution.

The Bay of Plenty recorded the biggest regional gain, up eight points to 60.5 %; Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast rose to 64.8 % and Tāmaki Herenga Waka to 57.8 %. The government has earmarked NZ$140 million over four years to support further attendance improvements.