Education Minister Anne Tolley today released Ng� Haeata M�tauranga - the Annual Report on M�ori Education, 2007/08.

"This report is retrospective and reflects on progress under the previous government. Ng� Haeata M�tauranga indicates that incremental progress is being made, however, there are still many challenges ahead. Inequitable education outcomes for M�ori have persisted for too many years. Lifting M�ori educational achievement will help raise the overall performance of our education system, productivity and the economy."

Mrs Tolley says she expects improvements to come from key government initiatives, including the National Standards on literacy and numeracy, trades in schools, ERO's strengthened scrutiny of under-performing schools, the extension of Te Kotahitanga to more secondary schools and the government's truancy and Youth Guarantee work.

In the meantime, I am confident that a strong and concerted effort from everyone responsible for M�ori education - students, early childhood education centres, schools, teachers, the government and wh�nau - will enable us to make solid progress over the next year. We must work together to focus on what works for M�ori students. It's time for us all to step up."

The report can be viewed at: http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/series/nga_haeata_matauranga/35307 (publication)