Key Findings

• Ākonga Māori performed at a wide range of proficiency levels in PISA across mathematics, reading and science. The proportion of ākonga performing below the baseline level of proficiency has increased over time, and the proportion of high performers has decreased in mathematics and science.
• The 2022 mean mathematics and science scores for ākonga Māori has decreased since PISA 2018. Their mean reading scores has remained stable since 2012.
• Most ākonga Māori reported positive relationships with their teachers. Most (60% or more) ākonga Māori also reported that they receive teacher support in most or every mathematics lesson.
• Ākonga Māori have high education expectations and goals with almost 4 in 10 expecting a degree or higher.
• Ākonga have higher anxiety related to their mathematics results than anxiety related to actively doing mathematics problems.
• Most ākonga Māori feel safe at school, make friends easily and experience little to no bullying, but there was a decrease in sense of belonging at school and an increase in feeling lonely or awkward at school since 2018.
• The factors most correlated to mathematics achievement are their socio-economic background, curiosity and participation in sports before or after school.
• The factors most correlated with their sense of belonging at school are feeling safe at school, the frequency of bullying and life satisfaction.