Educational practices that benefit Pacific learners in tertiary education

This project was commissioned by Ako Aotearoa (National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence) and carried out with the Association of Pasifika Staff in Tertiary Education (APSTE). The purpose of this study was to identify exemplars of success for Pacific students in New Zealand tertiary education. The overarching research question was: What educational practices work best in achieving, sustaining, and reproducing Pacific student success in tertiary education? The sub-questions were: What are the perceptions that tertiary students hold about success in education? What enabling factors contribute significantly to one’s success or achievement? How do institutions engage in students’ success in education?

Overall, the findings showed three broad themes and sub-themes that were identified as factors that lead to success for Pacific students in tertiary settings: (1) appreciative pedagogy (family support in education; personal commitment to success; the learning village at the institution); (2) teaching and learning relationships (respectful and nurturing relationships with students; recognition of cultural identity, values and aspirations; the creation of ‘Pacific’ physical spaces; incorporation of students’ learning needs; insistence on high standards; opportunities for students to pursue higher education; learning relationships between students; mentorship as a learning relationship); and (3) institutional commitment (a firm level of institutional support; active institutional engagement with the Pacific community; strong and supportive leadership; significant Pacific role models).

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