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Pasifika participation in degrees continuing to increase, while achievement remaining steady

Pasifika enrolments in diplomas have levelled off from 2004 to 2005. Enrolments in bachelors degrees have continued to increase, with a 4 percent growth from 2004 to 2005. This growth runs counter to the decrease in overall student numbers at this level. Pasifika participation rates in diplomas are similar to that of the rest of the population; in bachelors degrees the rate of participation is less than the rest of the population.

From 2001/02 to 2003/04, Pasifika first-year attrition rates at diploma levels have remained the same, while attrition rates for all students have increased slightly. At bachelors level, the Pasifika first-year attrition rates have decreased (from 39 percent to 36 percent), while rates for all students have remained the same (at 25 percent).

Over the same period, the rate of progression directly to higher qualifications has remained steady for both Pasifika and all students. The rates for Pasifika students are very close to those for all students, at around 15 percent of students completing at each level moving into higher qualifications the following year.

Pasifika formal domestic students at diploma level and above by qualification level 1997–2005

Increased participation and progression for Pasifika students in postgraduate qualifications

The overall number of Pasifika students enrolled in postgraduate qualifications continues to increase. From 2004 to 2005, numbers increased by 15 percent for honours degrees and 10 percent in doctorates, while numbers in masters declined by 5 percent, after a period of steady growth. While Pasifika participation rates at these levels are steadily increasing, they continue to be below those of the rest of the population.

From 2001/02 to 2003/04, Pasifika first-year attrition rates for honours degrees have remained steady (at around 36 percent), while the rate for all students has decreased from 36 to 33 percent. At masters level, there has been a slight decrease for Pasifika students from 35 to 33 percent, while there has been a larger improvement for all students from 32 to 26 percent¹.

Over the same period, the rate of progression directly to higher level qualifications has improved for Pasifika students in honours degrees, rising from 13 percent in 2001/02 to 18 percent in 2003/04. It is now very similar to that of all students. At masters level, the direct progression rate has increased significantly from 5 to 12 percent and is now twice the rate for all students.

Increased Pasifika participation across most fields of study, but little change in patterns of under- and over-representation

The following indicators look at the spread and growth of Pasifika participation by field of study at diploma level and above, using EFTS consumed and subjects of courses taken. The indicators are defined in the section on Māori Participation and Achievement at Higher Levels and across Disciplines.

Relative growth and relative share indicators for Pasifika formal domestic students by field of study at diploma level and above 2002 and 2005

The indicators show that there has been relative growth for Pasifika students across all subject areas, with the exception of engineering. Areas of strong relative growth have been in agriculture, environmental and related studies, information technology and education.

The patterns of over- and under-representation have remained fairly steady. The over-representation of Pasifika students in education and food, hospitality and personal services has increased, while the under-representation in engineering and related technologies has also increased.

Retargeting the Pacific Peoples’ Special Supplementary Grant

The Pacific Peoples’ Special Supplementary Grant provides funding to TEIs to provide support for retention and achievement of Pasifika students. From 2006, funding will be provided only for students at diploma level and above, with higher funding for postgraduate students. The aim is to encourage greater participation at higher levels of study. From 2008, TEIs will determine their own appropriate target groups on the basis of socio-economic disadvantage.

TEO approaches to Pasifika participation and achievement

The analysis of profiles showed that around half of TEOs in 2006/08 had a focus on Pasifika participation and achievement. This area was addressed across ITOs, ITPs and universities, with an increased number of TEOs in each sub-sector having change-focused objectives compared with 2005/07 profiles.

In both 2005/07 and 2006/08 profiles, the most common focus of objectives in this area was on monitoring the participation and success of Pasifika students. However, this was generally expressed in broad, institution-wide terms, with little discussion on success at higher levels of study.

In 2005/07, the ITOs had a focus on increasing Pasifika participation in industry training, and in some cases the industry itself. Some also focused on improving achievement and a few on progression to higher levels of study. The 2006/08 ITO profiles had more focus on achievement and completion and reviewing participation and success of Pasifika students to determine what further assistance may be required. ITOs were addressing this area through understanding Pasifika needs, looking at reducing barriers to participation and success, and improving communication with Pasifika communities.

In both years, most TEIs with objectives in this area were focused on providing and improving support for Pasifika students. In 2005/07, two were looking at programme development to support success. In 2006/08 some also referred to mentoring programmes and support networks.

¹ The small numbers of Pasifika students at doctorate level do not allow for accurate attrition rates to be calculated. (↑)

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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