New figures show Maori and Pasifika school-leavers have been hardest hit by the drop in the University Entrance pass rate.
Advice to the Education Minister obtained by Radio New Zealand showed only a third of Maori and Pasifika Year 13 students got the qualification, down from about a half the previous year.
The drop was much bigger than for Asian and Pakeha Year 13 students, about two-thirds of whom got UE last year.
About 4400 fewer school-leavers got UE following changes to the standard aimed at ensuring students are better prepared for degree-level study.
