Govt Introduces New STAR System to Combat NZ’s Truancy Crisis: David Seymour

Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced the program, aimed at improving attendance rates that have fallen behind international standards.

The New Zealand Government is rolling out a new attendance initiative, the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) system, to address the growing issue of student truancy in schools. Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced the program, aimed at improving attendance rates that have fallen behind international standards.

"New Zealand attendance rates are low by both national and international standards," Seymour said. "In 2023, 80.6% of students in England and 61.6% in Australia regularly attended school, compared to only 47.1% of New Zealand students."

The STAR system seeks to ensure no child is left behind by introducing escalating interventions for students who miss school. Each school will develop its own STAR system to address absenteeism based on their community’s needs.

Stepped Attendance Interventions:

5 days absent: The school contacts the parents or guardians to understand the reasons for absence and set expectations for improved attendance.

10 days absent: School leadership meets with the parents/guardian and the student to discuss barriers to attendance and create a plan to address these issues.

15 days absent: The case escalates to the Ministry of Education, with the possibility of considering legal actions such as prosecution of parents.

Seymour emphasized the importance of taking action, warning of the long-term impact on New Zealand society if the problem isn't addressed. He stated, "There will be an 80-year-long shadow of people who missed out on education when they were young, making them less able to work, less able to participate in society, and more likely to depend on benefits."

STAR Implementation and Support

From the start of the 2026 school year, all New Zealand schools will be required to have an attendance management plan based on the STAR framework. The Ministry of Education will assist schools by offering best-practice templates, tools, and guidance for dealing with students who are regularly absent.

As part of the initiative, the Ministry will collaborate with schools, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies such as the Police, Oranga Tamariki, and Te Puni Kokiri to ensure a cohesive approach to improving attendance. Information sharing between these bodies will play a crucial role in supporting at-risk students and identifying the root causes of absenteeism.

Tackling Teacher-only Days and School Closures

In addition to improving student attendance, Seymour stressed that schools must set an example by minimizing disruptions during the school year. He pointed out that teacher-only days during term time should not take place unless authorized by the Ministry of Education.

Seymour has asked the Ministry to collect data on school closures to ensure that schools remain open for instruction during the full term. "It is critical the entire system works cohesively to ensure education is respected and valued by students, and lost instruction time is made up," he said.

Prosecution and Infringement Considerations

While schools will be the first point of intervention, Seymour mentioned that the Ministry of Education will take a more active role in prosecuting parents who fail to ensure their children’s regular attendance. He did not rule out implementing an infringement scheme if current measures prove insufficient.

"As Minister responsible for attendance, I reserve the right to explore further legal measures if the current approach does not yield the expected results," he added.

Understanding the Reasons for Absence

The Government is also focusing on understanding the underlying reasons for low attendance rates. Seymour directed the Ministry to gather more reliable and timely data to analyze the issue and develop a holistic solution.

"This Government has set bold targets to address the truancy crisis," Seymour said. "Almost every aspect of someone's adult life is defined by the education they receive as a child. If we want better social outcomes, we can't keep ignoring the truancy crisis. It is a bold approach, but one that is urgently needed."

Next Steps for the STAR System

The STAR system is part of a wider Government effort to address educational inequality and the socio-economic impact of poor school attendance. It is anticipated that by improving student engagement through these measures, New Zealand will see better social outcomes, from increased employment opportunities to reduced reliance on social services.

By 2026, with full implementation of the STAR system, the Government hopes to significantly boost attendance rates across the country and prevent the long-term negative consequences of student disengagement from education.