50803 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

50803 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: What actions, if any, has the Ministry of Education and/or the Associate Minister taken on any advice received regarding any correlation between illness and attendance?

Hon David Seymour: Illness and medical absence remain the biggest contributor to school absence. In 2024, the Ministry of Education worked with Health agencies to develop health guidance that promotes both the importance of school attendance and how to know if your child is well enough to attend school. This health guidance can be found on the Health New Zealand website at: https://info.health.nz/keeping-healthy/healthy-homes-environments/knowing-if-your-child-is-well-enough-to-go-to-school-guidance-for-parents The health guidance continues to be promoted through the Ministry of Education’s website and Attendance Action Plan's communication activities. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 50833 (2025).