With a rising level of female school leaver unemployment, and recent cutbacks in traditional areas of women's employment, it has become a matter of urgency for positive, comprehensive action to be taken within the education system of New Zealand to encourage young women into a wider range of vocational opportunities. A coordinated policy from intermediate school level through tertiary is needed; and it must take account of the sex segregation in prevocational and vocational preparation and the concept of sex role stereotyping and its effect on the socialization of girls and boys. Issues requiring consideration include (1) the common core curriculum in forms 1-4 and the availability of all subjects to both girls and boys; (2) subject choices of girls and boys at senior secondary level when prevocational choices are made; (3) the quality and impact of career education programs; (4) the preparation and training of the counseling and teaching staff; and (5) affirmative action programs in vocational training at the tertiary level. In particular, the situation of Maori and Pacific Island female school leavers requires urgent attention and action. The New Zealand National Advisory Committee on Women and Education recommends that polices be developed to encourage equal participation by women in the economic, social, and decision-making structures of the country, a role they have not often played in the past. (Appendixes include a statement by the minister of education and statistics on subject choices, school leavers, and school certificates). (Author/KC)