Cultural Capability
Embedding Māori and Pacific cultural capability into tertiary education is essential to fostering an inclusive, culturally aware learning and teaching environment.
August 2025 | Cultural capability and its impact on learning outcomes
Cultural capability is a key focus of the Manako programme. This briefing paper examines how cultural capability training influences learner success and engagement, using the PIAAC report to highlight disparities and successes.
Briefing Paper | Cultural capability and its impact on learning outcomes (PDF, 137Kb)
August 2025 | Tertiary education and Pacific: Foundation to leadership and beyond the horizon
This briefing paper explores the current state of tertiary education for Pacific learners, identifies key issues using PIAAC data, and highlights the importance of Pacific values and educational practices.
May 2024 | Cultivating cultural understanding and inclusivity in tertiary education and training by building Māori cultural capability
This briefing paper examines the Manako ‘Building Māori Cultural Capability’ programme which is central to enhancing teaching quality and Māori learner outcomes.
Briefing Paper | Māori Cultural Capability (PDF, 166Kb)
May 2024 | Enhancing tertiary education for Pacific learners in Aotearoa New Zealand
This briefing paper synthesises insights from recent studies to improve educational outcomes for Pacific learners.
Briefing Paper | Pacific Cultural Capability (PDF, 166Kb)
About the briefing papers
These Briefing Papers have been collected part of our commitment to good practice in tertiary education.
Sent to the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills and other key stakeholders, they offer insights into initiatives under the Ako Aotearoa Manako programme that seek to enhance the capability of the tertiary teaching workforce to support the achievement of the educational and learner success priorities under the Tertiary Education Strategy.
Let us know your thoughts
If you have questions, comments, or would like to discuss the Briefing Papers please get in touch: info@ako.ac.nz
Supporting Documents
Cultural capability is a key focus of the Manako programme. This briefing paper examines how cultural capability training influences learner success and engagement, using the PIAAC report to highlight disparities and successes.
(PDF, 137 KB)
- 4 September 2025
Pacific learners face unique challenges in tertiary education, yet their cultural values and educational approaches offer significant potential for transformative change. This briefing paper explores the current state of tertiary education for Pacific learners, identifies key issues using PIAAC data, and highlights the importance of Pacific values and educational practices.
(PDF, 193 KB)
- 4 September 2025
Briefing paper
Manako Briefing Paper | Māori Cultural Capability
This briefing paper examines the Manako ‘Building Māori Cultural Capability’ programme which is central to enhancing teaching quality and Māori learner outcomes.
(PDF, 166 KB)
- 17 July 2024
Briefing paper
Manako Briefing Paper | Pacific Cultural Capability
This Manako Briefing paper synthesises insights from recent studies to improve educational outcomes for Pacific learners.
(PDF, 166 KB)
- 17 July 2024
Related Content
Manako Briefing Papers
These briefing papers offer best practice recommendations in language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) education and cultural capability practice for Tertiary sector staff.