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The change required to achieve this strategy

Achieving this strategy requires attention to the skills that Pasifika peoples need for their development, both in New Zealand and the wider Pacific.

This requires improved connections between the tertiary education system and Pasifika communities, so that TEOs can more actively contribute to the needs of the communities and Pasifika learners are much better informed about available study and career options which can help them to achieve their aspirations.

This strategy recognises the need to improve the capability and capacity of Pasifika for Pasifika education services. These include Pasifika PTEs, community education services and services within ‘mainstream’ organisations.

It also places emphasis on increasing the representation of Pasifika staff at all levels of decision-making in the tertiary education system.

Progress to date

Pasifika participation at bachelors and diploma levels continues to increase, but is still substantially below that of other groups. Pasifika students have lower completion rates than others, particularly at bachelors level.

Pasifika participation at postgraduate level continues to be very low, with little growth evident. Pasifika students have low completion rates at postgraduate level also.

There is generally a low level of engagement across the tertiary education system with Pasifika communities, particularly in terms of their development needs and aspirations. Relationships between tertiary providers and Pasifika communities are varied and largely focus on developing existing relationships. ITOs are just beginning to consult and identify Pasifika stakeholders to build relationships with. Across TEOs, most are focused more on supporting student or trainee participation and success and only a few are extending out into addressing the aspirations of Pasifika communities.

The number of students studying at Pasifika PTEs has been steadily increasing. Most enrolments are at certificate and diploma levels.

The PBRF staff census confirms the low representation of Pasifika staff in teaching at degree level and above.

Key challenges for moving forward

From the analysis of progress to date, the following key challenges for moving forward to achieve this strategy are evident:

• improving the retention and completion of Pasifika students, especially at higher levels, while continuing to support increasing participation

• TEOs actively engaging with their Pasifika communities to identify and address their needs and aspirations

• supporting and developing Pasifika for Pasifika education services, including within ‘mainstream’ providers and organisations.

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• Table of Contents

• The State of Play

• Cross Strategy Indicators

• Raise foundation skills

• Skills for our knowledge society

• Strengthen research and knowledge creation

• Te rautaki mātauranga Māori

• Pacific people’s development and success

• Capability and quality

• Technical and Data Definitions