Primary school maths and reading vocabulary improve while comprehension slips

What happened

Analysis of more than three million Progressive Achievement Test results from the New Zealand Council for Educational Research shows sharp improvement in maths and reading vocabulary among Years 4–8 students, but a serious dip in reading comprehension. Maths scores dropped from 2019 to 2022, then improved markedly, with term 1 this year's results a third of a year's learning better than the start of 2024. Reading vocabulary scores have risen since 2021, reaching a high equivalent to one-fifth of a year's learning better than the 2012 baseline. Reading comprehension has declined substantially since 2015, reaching a low point in 2024 about a quarter of a year below the 2012 baseline, though this year showed improvement after the comprehension tests were changed in 2025. The results cover more than half of primary school children who have attended since 2012. Education Minister Erica Stanford attributed the gains to government reforms, though the report noted improvements in maths and vocabulary began before the government's changes started. Researcher David Coblentz suggested digital devices and changes in how students consume media may explain shifts in reading patterns, while improved school attendance and the push for an hour of daily maths may have driven maths improvements, particularly among younger students.

Why it matters

The results come as Education Minister Erica Stanford faces criticism from the teachers' union and education leaders over her secondary curriculum reforms. In September, the union commissioned research showing thousands of students would struggle with the new curriculum, and Stanford and the Principals' Federation president have clashed over her promotion of government reforms at a conference. These primary school test results, which Stanford credits to her government's changes, provide her with evidence supporting her education policy direction, though the research itself notes the improvements began before her government took office.

Follow the whole thread: NCEA and secondary curriculum reform

Key facts

• Analysis of more than 3 million maths and reading tests since 2012
• Maths scores this year a third of a year ahead of start of 2024
• Reading vocabulary up one-fifth of a year from 2012 baseline
• Reading comprehension down a quarter of a year from 2012 baseline, rebounded in 2025 after test changes
• Study covers more than half of New Zealand primary school students since 2012

Primary source: New Zealand Council for Educational Research's analysis of 15 years of Progressive Achievement Tests

Covered byRNZNewstalk ZBOtago Daily TimesNot covered byStuffNZ Herald1NewsNewsroomThe SpinoffBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz

Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.

Where the outlets differ

RNZ provides comprehensive detail on all three areas and competing explanations for the changes; Newstalk ZB focuses on the maths rebound and vocabulary gains while omitting the reading comprehension decline; Otago Daily Times provides only the headline with no excerpt or analysis available.

What outlets are saying