45. In 2012 the government did not consider that housing was an issue of the magnitude that is now acknowledged. Since then the government has commissioned numerous reports and projects on the housing situation in New Zealand.32 Housing is now a key priority for government. 46. The Committee may wish to consider including the following questions in its LOIPR for New Zealand:  What information does the government have on the gaps in realisation (disaggregated by ethnicity, diability and family status) of the right to adequate housing under each of the indicia of the right to adequate housing as set out in General Comment 4?  What measures has the government taken to address each indicia of the right to adequate housing as set out in General Comment 4?  What measures has the government taken, or intends to take, to ensure that public and private providers of rental housing uphold and protect human rights?  What steps is the government taking to address the lack of suitable housing for disabled people in New Zealand?  Can the government update the Committee on the housing situation in Canterbury and advise on the steps it is taking to address the right to adequate housing for all Cantabrians? C. Education 47. New Zealand’s National Certificates of Educational Achievement (“NCEA”) are national qualifications for senior secondary school students. NCEA is recognised by employers and used as the benchmark for selection by universities and polytechnics. Education achievement of Level 2 NCEA is a significant indicator of positive outcomes in later life. 48. Ka Hikitia – Accelerating Success 2013-2017 outlines five focus areas to raise Māori achievement in education, namely improving Māori language, increasing earlychildhood education (“ECE”), improving achievement in primary and secondary education, increasing success in tertiary education, and for education sector agencies to create conditions for Māori students to achieve. Since Ka Hikitia was introduced, more Māori children are attending ECE and Māori students’ performance in National Standards (reading, writing and mathematics) and since 2013 attainment of NCEA 32 See for example: http://www.productivity.govt.nz/sites/default/files/Final%20Housing%20Affordability%20Report_0_0.pdf and http://www.productivity.govt.nz/sites/default/files/using-land-for-housing-final-reportfull%2C%20PDF%2C%204511Kb.pdf 13