Study highlights setbacks for Maori students

A new study has revealed a national call for te ao Maori perspectives and matauranga – or cultural practices and principles – to be recognised in tertiary education in New Zealand, writes Te Rina Triponel for NZ Herald.

New Zealand’s largest tertiary education provider, Te Pukenga, has published an insights report focusing on factors that prevent and enable success in vocational learning for Maori. The study consisted of focus groups from Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Timaru, West Coast, Otago and Southland. About 45 sessions were held across Aotearoa and included campus-based learners, online, work-based learners, and the staff who support them. Some included community and prospective learners in high school or community.

Its aim was to identify setbacks for those who are likely to be disadvantaged in a learning space, particularly Maori, Pasifika and people with disabilities and found not enough Maori and Pacific staff were in influential roles, which is now more critical than ever, with growing numbers of learners who have strong cultural identities.
Full report on the NZ Herald site