Category Archives: Pacific learner success

Pacific learners bring rich cultural knowledge and resilience, yet face unique challenges in Aotearoa’s tertiary sector. This article explores innovative approaches that honour identity, strengthen belonging, and create pathways for success — calling educators and policymakers to embrace Pacific-centred solutions for a more inclusive future. Continue reading →

This Synthesis report presents highlights and key findings from Ako Aotearoa funded projects that aimed to improve outcomes for Pasifika learners in tertiary education. Continue reading →

This research aimed to examine good organisational practice that supports Pacific learners to succeed in tertiary education using the Kakala Research Framework. Continue reading →

A year-long project that aimed to identify the factors that had contributed to the successful completion of pre-trades courses by a group of Pacific learners. Continue reading →

A two-and-a-half-year project that explored the critical success factors and effective teaching models for Pasifika learners involved in workplace training. Continue reading →

This report outlines the design and application of Targeted Learning Sessions and strategies developed to engage Māori and Pacific first-year learners in this system of academic support. Continue reading →

A project that used an Oceanic methodology to investigate Māori and Pasifika student success and retention. Continue reading →

A project to enhance understanding of motivation and engagement of Māori and Pasifika PTE students and explore the relationships between motivation, engagement and learning outcomes. Continue reading →

Research to explore a socio-cultural approach to mentoring with Māori and Pasifika electrical apprentices. Continue reading →

Research to identify the success factors that promote Pasifika student academic success through the provision of mentoring. Continue reading →

A project exploring ‘good practice’ horticultural foundation training for Pacific learners. Continue reading →

This report details successful strategies that contribute to improved completion and success for Pacific students engaged in tertiary education. Continue reading →

A project to evaluate methods to engage and motivate adult Pasifika learners wanting to enter tertiary education or the workforce. Continue reading →

This project is a continuing collaboration of the University of Canterbury, Ara Institute of Canterbury and Lincoln University, and focused on amplifying the Pasifika student perspective through the completion and implementation of a Pasifika Resource kit. Continue reading →

A project to share good practice and areas for improvement in teaching quality, programme quality and student voice across the Pacific region. Continue reading →

This research evaluates the impact of three successive tertiary education strategies on Pasifika learning success. Continue reading →

Research to develop a training manual to assist teachers to engage with Pacific learners in tertiary settings. Continue reading →

This report seeks to investigate teacher education methods, aiming to improve professional practice courses and teaching processes that specifically address the assessment of learning among Samoan children. Continue reading →

A project to assist literacy and numeracy providers understand how to better engage learners from Pacific Island countries in literacy, numeracy and financial literacy training. Continue reading →

The report identifies the holistic strategies of teaching and learning in PTEs, which are the most effective for Pacific learners and the key characteristics of successful Pacific PTEs and tutors. Continue reading →

A research project to identify and understand more fully the change strategies required to enhance effective engagement and support for Pasifika students Continue reading →

A project to empower Pacific students through the use of Pacific taonga/treasures to reignite their passion for learning. Continue reading →

This project documents effective teaching strategies can improve learning outcomes for Māori, Pacific and youth. Continue reading →

This research details 10 habits of phenomenal educators for Pacific Learners that can support educators in planning and developing teaching and learning theory and practices for the success and development of Pacific learners. Continue reading →

The project aimed to empower and uplift Pacific communities, particularly those in underserved areas, by fostering community engagement, partnership, and education support. This report presents the key findings derived from the research questions. Continue reading →