The Education and Health Ministries are joining forces to fight measles spreading in schools

New Zealand 's had more than 18-hundred cases of the disease this year.

The ministries have signed a memorandum of understanding, to allow calculation of schools' overall vaccination rates - to be shared with to public health officers.

Director of Public Health Caroline McElnay says containing the disease requires information and planning.

She says knowing school vaccination rates will help officials take appropriate action.