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These indicators present information on the level of foundation competencies in the NZ population in English and Te Reo Māori.
1. Key indicators
In 1996:
- around 20 percent of the adult population had very poor functional literacy and could be expected to experience considerable difficulties in using many of the printed materials they encountered in everyday life
- about 30 percent more of the population would be able to use some printed material, but this would generally be relatively simple.
Percentage of each age group with adequatefunctional literacy 1996
Source: International Adult Literacy Survey, 1996.
Adequate is defined as level 3 or above on the scales used in the survey.
In 2001:
- there were 130,000 Māori and 30,000 non-Māori who could speak some Māori
- around 15 percent of the Māori population were proficient in one or more of speaking, listening, reading or writing
Percentage of each age group of the Māori population proficientin te reo Māori 2001
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Survey of the Health of the Māori Language, 2001
Proficient is defined as able to speak, write, read or listen well or very well
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2. What has been reported
- Baseline Monitoring Report
- Foundation Competencies in the New Zealand Population
- Monitoring Report 2004
- not included
- Monitoring Report 2004
- not included
3. Related information
- Adult Literacy and Life-skills survey (ALL)
- New Zealand is participating in this survey, which builds on the International Adult Literacy Survey in 1996. The survey will provide internationally comparable statistics on adult skill levels in prose literacy, document literacy, numeracy and problem-solving. Data collection in New Zealand will take place during 2006.
- Analysis of New Zealand Data from the International Adult Literacy Survey
- The Ministry of Education commissioned Massey University researchers to conduct further analysis of the 1996 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) data to determine whether certain demographic factors predict or are associated with low levels of literacy. This research provides a greater understanding of New Zealanders affected by literacy problems.
- Adult literacy and economic growth (Treasury Working Paper 04/24)
- This paper looks at whether an increase in the basic literacy skills of adults would have a positive effect on the New Zealand economy. It finds good evidence for the benefits of literacy: studies consistently find that adults with better literacy skills are more likely to be employed, and to earn more, than those with poorer literacy skills, even when taking account of other factors which affect work performance. There is little rigorous evidence, however, for the benefits of adult literacy training and almost no accompanying information on the costs of this training. While there is a good case for an increased focus on adult literacy, and on workplace literacy in particular, these findings suggest a cautious approach to expanding publicly-funded adult literacy programmes. There is a clear need for more and better New Zealand-based research, for piloting innovative literacy programmes and for undertaking good-quality evaluations. A modest increase in literacy training may not materially affect economic performance. It may, however, be a worthwhile investment, but only good-quality research and evaluation will tell us this.
Survey of the Health of the Māori Language (pdf - 765 kb)
Appendices to the Survey of the Health of the Māori Language (pdf - 582 kb)
Summary of findings of the International Adult Literacy Survey – see the appendix. (pdf - 340 kb)
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4. Your views
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| The purpose of these pages is to provide updated and expanded data on the monitoring indicators. Please note that the data has not necessarily been subject to a full quality assurance process and may be revised from time to time. |
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