Our research

Ā Mātou Rangahau

In this section of our website you'll find our education system evaluations, effective practice reports, resources and guides. These are produced by Te Ihuwaka | Education Evaluation Centre and Te Pou Mataaho | Evaluation and Research Māori.

Read more about Te Ihuwaka | Education Evaluation Centre.

Read more about Te Pou Mataaho | Evaluation and Research Māori.

Read about the questions we are asking.

There are 68 research articles.
  • Topics: Children's Villages, National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement (NMSSA), State schools, Teen Parent Units, Video
  • Improvement in Action – Te Ahu Whakamua

    The collection of videos and publications is called Improvement in Action and illustrates what works to achieve successful outcomes for all children and young people in the education system.

    The video sequences bring to life ERO’s School Evaluation Indicators. 

  • Published: 08 Jul 2021

    VIDEO: Te Kura Huanui - Te Reo Rangatira

    Te reo Māori is a critical part of the learning environment in Māori-medium education. 
    There is a clear commitment from kōhanga, kura, kaiako, kaimahi, whānau, hapū and iwi to
    the revitalisation and resurgence of te reo Māori me ngā tikanga Māori. Intergenerational
    transmission of te reo Māori me ngā tikanga Māori is valued and kura view kaumātua and

  • Published: 08 Jul 2021

    VIDEO: Te Kura Huanui: Whānau

    Across all Māori-medium, a strong foundation built on whanaungatanga and ancestral connections helps learners feel a strong sense of belonging at kura, home and in the wider community. Whakapapa and whanaungatanga underpin all interactions for kura, whānau, kaimahi and learner, with whānau, hapū, iwi and marae communities playing an important role.

  • Published: 08 Jul 2021

    VIDEO: Te Kura Huanui: Te Kaiaratakinga - Leadership

    A common condition present in Māori-medium education is leaders as visionaries. Leadership is effective, strategic, aspirational, inspirational and innovative, and they encourage these characteristics among staff. 

  • Published: 22 Apr 2021

    Science in secondary schools: a guide for leaders

    To support leaders and teachers to review and strengthen the science learning opportunities they provide, ERO explored the strategies and approaches that a selection of schools had taken to increase students’ engagement in science. This short guides draws on this work to help secondary school leaders think about how they can support stronger science teaching and learning in their school.

  • Published: 21 Apr 2021

    Science in secondary schools: a guide for teachers

    To support leaders and teachers to review and strengthen the science learning opportunities they provide, ERO explored the strategies and approaches that a selection of schools had taken to increase students’ engagement in science. This short guides draws on this work to help secondary school teachers think about how they can support stronger science teaching and learning in their school.

  • Published: 20 Apr 2021

    Science in primary schools: a guide for leaders

    To support leaders and teachers to review and strengthen the science learning opportunities they provide, ERO explored the strategies and approaches that a selection of schools had taken to increase students’ engagement in science. This short guides draws on this work to help primary school leaders think about how they can support stronger science teaching and learning in their school.

  • Published: 19 Apr 2021

    Science in primary schools: a guide for teachers

    To support leaders and teachers to review and strengthen the science learning opportunities they provide, ERO explored the strategies and approaches that a selection of schools had taken to increase students’ engagement in science. This short guides draws on this work to help primary school teachers think about how they can support stronger science teaching and learning in their school.

  • Published: 12 Apr 2021

    Science in New Zealand schools and early childhood services - series summary

    Science is important – we rely on science and scientific thinking in almost every endeavour in our modern society. High quality science education at school is essential for learners who want a career in science, but it is also important for all learners to help them understand the scientific issues that whānau, communities, and nations face. Issues such as climate change, healthy living, and innovation all depend on science.

  • Published: 05 Jul 2018

    Teen Parent Units

    The Education Review Office (ERO) reviews Teen Parent Units (TPUs) on a three‑year cycle. During March and April, 2017 ERO investigated the quality of education provided by TPUs and the extent to which they supported positive outcomes for TPU students and their children.

  • Published: 14 May 2018

    Teaching strategies that work - Reading

    The Education Review Office (ERO) has released the latest in its Teaching Strategies that Work series. “Keeping children engaged and achieving in reading” is a description of strategies used by primary schools which have significantly improved their students’ achievement in reading.

  • Published: 20 Feb 2018

    Teaching strategies that work - Mathematics

    This Education Review Office (ERO) report is one of a series of reports on teaching strategies that work. It features strategies and approaches that we observed in 40 primary schools selected from across New Zealand. These schools came from a database of 129 schools, all with rolls of 200 or more, in which the proportion of students in the upper primary years (Years 5 to 8) achieving at or above the national standard had increased. In each case achievement levels were also above average for the decile.

  • Published: 01 Jan 2018

    Ethnic diversity in New Zealand state schools

    This article originally appeared in ERO Insights - Term 1, 2018 and explores how the ethnic diversity of the primary and secondary school roll has changed in New Zealand since 2009, and whether these changes are leading to more diverse or more segregated schools.

  • Published: 24 Nov 2017

    Teaching approaches and strategies that work

    This evaluation looks at teaching approaches and strategies used in schools where there has been a significant increase in the number of students at or above National Standards in the upper primary school years (Years 5 to 8). We wanted to learn more about any short-term interventions or long-term strategies that may have been influential in bringing about these positive achievement trajectories. We have shared and discussed our findings from some of the 40 schools we visited.

  • Published: 04 Sep 2017

    Connecting with families

    A deliberate approach engages family and whānau in learning centred relationships. This approach expands and strengthens the community of learners so that more active support and opportunities are provided for all the children.

  • Published: 04 Sep 2017

    Building resilience and self efficacy

    Students acknowledge the role leaders and teachers play in instilling in them the self-belief to become confident, connected, actively involved,  life long learners

  • Published: 04 Sep 2017

    Building capability

    The focus on driving and sustaining improvement in outcomes in this school involves solution seeking processes typified by innovation and whole school participation. The principal describes the approach that supports this ongoing activity as more entrepreneurial than hierarchical.

  • Published: 04 Sep 2017

    An evaluation mindset

    Senior leaders talk about the approach and processes associated with doing and using evaluation for improvement.