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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 in the wider Pacific. This requires improved connections between the tertiary education system and Pasifika communities, so that TEOs can contribute more actively to the needs of the communities and so that Pasifika learners are better informed about available study and career options that 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.

This strategy sits alongside, and reinforces, the revised Pasifika Education Plan, which spans 2006 to 2010. This plan sets a focus in tertiary education on ‘increasing participation, retention and achievement and encouraging progression to higher levels of study’. The sub-goals for tertiary education are:

1. increase Pasifika participation and improve retention in tertiary education
2. increase Pasifika students’ achievement and progression in tertiary education at all levels, particularly at the degree level and above
3. ensure that the needs and aspirations of Pasifika communities are identified and addressed.

Progress to 2005/06

The analysis of 2005/07 and 2006/08 profiles found that only 50 percent of TEOs had change-focused objectives addressing this strategy in 2005/07 profiles and just under 60 percent in the 2006/08 profiles. There was no strong relationship found between the number and proportion of Pasifika students in a TEI and the number of change-focused objectives relating to this strategy in the TEI’s profiles over a two-year period.

Percentage of TEOs with change-focused objectives relating to ‘Educate for Pacific Peoples’ Development and Success’ in profiles 2005/07–2006/08

Pasifika enrolments are steady at diploma level and growing in bachelors and postgraduate degrees. The growth in bachelors degrees is occurring at a time when overall numbers at this level are falling. There is an overall trend towards decreasing first-year attrition rates and increased progression at postgraduate level, especially from masters to doctorate. There has been relative growth in Pasifika enrolments across most subject areas. Where TEOs have a focus in profiles on Pasifika participation and achievement, this generally involves monitoring and student support.

Around a third of TEOs had change-focused objectives in profiles relating to engagement with Pasifika communities. Most of this engagement is focused on meeting the needs of Pasifika students. There is less mention of contributing to Pasifika development and almost no mention of an international perspective on Pasifika development. Pasifika communities had varied experiences of engagement from tertiary providers. Most found engagement to be narrowly focused on student recruitment and support and not contributing to their social goals.

Pasifika student numbers in Pasifika PTEs are gradually increasing. However, the number of Pasifika students in other PTEs has increased markedly.

Only a few TEOs are focused on recruitment and retention of Pasifika staff in their profiles.

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:

• continuing to support successful Pasifika participation at all levels
• improved engagement from TEOs with Pasifika communities, with more focus on the contribution of tertiary education to Pasifika development aspirations in New Zealand and the wider Pacific
• supporting Pasifika PTEs to access a wide range of provision, so as not to be so reliant on targeted training funds
• greater focus from TEOs on recruitment and support of Pasifika staff.

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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