When it comes to maths it's not what we're teaching, but how we're teaching - and it's costing the country billions of dollars every year.
That's according to the Royal Society panel reviewing the maths curriculum, it went beyond its brief and called for a major overhaul of how the subject is taught in schools.
It warns that teachers must stop grouping and teaching children by their perceived ability, and introduce more complex maths concepts earlier in their education.
Massey University distinguished professor Gaven Martin chaired the panel, he spoke to Kim Hill.