NCEA results show improvements all round for Dilworth students
NCEA results for 2025 are out; the statistics have been compiled, and the news is excellent for Dilworth! More of our students have attained University Entrance, and there has been a clear progression from students receiving ‘achieved’ grades to merit and excellence grades across Year 12 and 13.
Following a dedicated commitment to personal excellence and three years of Dilworth’s new curriculum, all of Dilworth’s NCEA trends are positive, providing students and staff with plenty of reasons to be proud.
Headmaster Dan Reddiex gave students the good news at assembly this week:
“We are between 20-25% above the national average in NCEA Level 2 and 3 pass rates and close to 40% above in University Entrance this year – one of the best years in the history of our school at 85.9%.”
He went on to explain that if you remove the students who left during the year, “Our University Entrance pass rate was 91%."
Putting Dilworth’s result into context, the national average across New Zealand schools for students achieving University Entrance was 49.9%.
And there was a positive trend in Dilworth’s University Entrance results over the past three years, from 70.4% in 2023 to 85.9% in 2025.
The UE achievement levels for Dilworth’s Māori and Pasifika students significantly exceed national results, bucking the trend, with some notable achievements from our Pasifika students.
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Māori 72.2% |
National 31.9% |
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Pasifika 89.5% |
National 33.4% |
And again, showing clear progression, the UE achievement level for our Pasifika students is up by 15% points from 2024, our highest-ever University Entrance result. Stunning!
But the story doesn’t stop here.
According to Director of Curriculum Madeline Thompson, the quality and depth of the grades achieved by Dilworth students also increased, with an impressive lift in 2025 across both Year 12 and Year 13 – NCEA Level 3– grades, endorsed with excellence, really standing out.
Madeline also mentioned that some other pleasing factors are emerging behind our NCEA data.
Dilworth’s pass rate of external exams increased in 2025. “Students are taking external exams seriously and studying hard”, she said, and “It matters because it is the best precursor to how a student will succeed at university.”
And getting more technical, subject course endorsements at Dilworth also increased last year, which Madeline said “Is a very clear measure of student attainment”.
“ All NCEA results are up – we can’t ask for more than that of our students – we are delighted!” commented Mrs Thompson.
Summing it up
As he concluded his Assembly on Monday, Headmaster Dan Reddiex encouraged students to continue their excellent efforts in 2026, reminding them that everyone belongs at Dilworth.
“You will recall last year that our school focus was E Pluribus Unum, Out of Many ONE. The principle was a simple one: we are all part of the Dilworth family, we are all equally valuable and important. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, you belong, and at our school you will succeed”.
Our outstanding 2025 NCEA results serve as the best possible demonstration.