The Government has launched a new strategy aimed at lifting school attendance rates.
COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem which has meant just 60 percent of students are showing up regularly for school.
After a couple of years of COVID-disrupted learning, students at Auckland's Manurewa Intermediate are getting back in the groove.
While rates of attendance there are high, across the country they've declined heavily in the past seven years.
Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti, a former principal herself, has launched a strategy to get students to re-engage with school and lift rates of attendance.
"We've actually said enough is enough and we're here to turn things around."
Tinetti said students aren't the only ones who need to re-engage.
"Parents and whānau have a responsibility to get their kids to school, and schools have a responsibility to be one of the best places in town for young people to attend."
In 2021, less than 60 percent of students attended school regularly. Now targets have been set to lift rates to 70 percent in the next two years and 75 percent by 2026.
School principals said COVID-19 lockdowns made matters worse and now those returning to classrooms are struggling.
"They're always missing things and needing to be caught back up and it makes it really hard for them to get a grip on their learning," Post Primary Teachers' Association president Melanie Webber said.
Sir Edmund Hilary Collegiate principal Kiri Turketo said COVID-19 disruption has changed the behaviour of students.
"We're beginning to see now that behaviour is starting to rear its head in terms of making poor decisions for students."
Despite clear targets, how the Government plans on tackling attendance rates remains broad.
But Tinetti said that's because schools will receive customised plans.
"Each area is going to have their localised responses, working with their local regional ministry of education officers."
The strategy is part of the government's $88 million package to get students back on board the education waka.
The Government's hoping this new strategy will ensure smooth sailing.
"They haven't navigated these seas before and like us, neither have we," Turketo said.
