Radio New Zealand

About 30 schools are to get a visit from from the Auditor-General's office, as part of a new drive to make regular checks on how well the education system is supporting Maori students.

Officials acknowledge that many Maori are deprived of education opportunities, and underachieve in the classroom.

It's a five-year project that will deliver a report every year, and kura kaupapa Maori (Maori immersion schools) will be included.

Performance auditor James Swindells says a lot of people will be interviewed, including parents, teachers, principals and students. He says the schools will be warned before the Auditor-General's staff arive.