The objectives of a research project were to: (1) give an account of the adult literacy movement in New Zealand between 1974 and 1988; (2) gather, analyze, and report on the number of students in adult literacy programs between 1974 and 1987; (3) examine the nature of adult literacy programs; (4) describe the development of funding arrangements of local coordinators; (5) explore the role of national coordination; (6) identify bicultural and multicultural emphasis in adult literacy; (7) investigate how computer technology influences adult literacy work; (8) explicate the benefits of adult literacy programs during 1974 to 1988; and (9) provide recommendations. Based on several Adult Reading and Learning Assistance (ARLA) Federation national surveys, 12,117 students and 8,108 tutors were involved in the adult literacy movement between 1974 to 1987. Several questionnaires collected historical and statistical data from program coordinators. Additional surveys collected information on the use of computers in adult literacy programs and on the literacy levels of prison inmates. Descriptive information was obtained from case studies. (Twenty references, a list of project files, and notes are included. Appendices contain: (1) unofficial records of reading programs, 1979-1984; (2) notes on background to National Council of Adult Education involvement with adult literacy movement, June 1979; (3) list of questions sent to all programs; (4) breakdown of the 1988 Timaru statistics; and (5) the ARLA Federation computer survey questionnaire.) (NLA)