NEMP 2000 oral reading videotaped data was re-analysed to investigate reading behaviours of year 4 and year 8 students reading below normal expectation. A diagnostic analysis of New Zealand primary school students reading below expectation was carried out, to increase understanding of the achievements and strategies of these students and the range of personal characteristics they bring to the learning situation. Students tended to read very slowly, at a mean rate of approximately 57 words per minute. The error rate was just over 9%, of which substitutions were the most common error type. Students paused to employ a strategy for one in every ten words, of which "context' cues were the most utilised. In regard to oral reading fluency, students generally spoke with "little/no" expression, while exhibiting "some" degree of clarity, clause and sentence structure, and breath control. Almost half the students moved closer to the text when reading and nearly a quarter kept their place with their finger. Approximately half the students exhibited the sound work habits of "independent" reading and remaining predominantly "still" during the task, while an even higher proportion "successfully" followed instructions and applied "concentrated effort". The majority of students exhibited "moderate" levels of such personal characteristics as "sociability'', "confidence", "risk-taking", and "interest''. This comprehensive analysis indicates that although students reading below expectation do share some common learning difficulties, many exhibit sound work habits and a satisfactory range of personal characteristics.