NZQA Insights on Māori and Pacific Tertiary Success: Strategies to Support Learners in New Zealand Higher Education

Disparities in Tertiary Education Outcomes for Māori and Pacific Learners

In New Zealand's tertiary education landscape, achieving equity remains a pressing challenge, particularly for Māori and Pacific learners. Despite progress, these groups continue to face lower qualification completion rates compared to other ethnicities. For instance, recent data from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) indicates that while Māori course completion rates have improved, they still lag behind non-Māori non-Pacific learners, with gaps narrowing from 10.1% in 2016 to 1.6% in 2023 at institutions like Massey University. 66 71 Pacific learners show similar trends, with qualification completions rising 15% in 2024 for domestic students. 70 These disparities are rooted in systemic barriers, including socioeconomic factors, limited access to culturally responsive support, and pathways from secondary education where University Entrance (UE, the standard requirement for university entry) attainment is roughly half for Māori and Pacific students compared to others. 32

Tertiary education in New Zealand encompasses universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), wānanga (Māori-focused providers), and private training establishments (PTEs). Universities, as key higher education providers, enroll significant numbers of Māori and Pacific students, with the University of Auckland hosting the highest proportion of Māori school leavers at 34% in 2025. 101 Addressing these gaps is crucial not only for individual success but for national economic and social goals, as outlined in the Tertiary Education Strategy.

NZQA Unveils New Insights on Māori and Pacific Tertiary Success

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), responsible for quality assurance and standards in non-university tertiary education, has released a pivotal Insights paper in February 2026 titled "Teaching practice that results in successful achievement for Māori and Pacific learners." 104 This report analyzes six PTEs demonstrating exceptional outcomes for these learners, drawing from External Evaluation and Review (EER) reports. It identifies four core practices embedded across diverse providers, learner cohorts, industries, and delivery models, offering actionable strategies for broader adoption in colleges and universities alike.

Unlike previous NZQA papers focusing on secondary pathways like "Poipoia kia puāwai" (June 2024), which examined schools boosting UE for ākonga Māori and Pacific, this one shifts to tertiary teaching excellence. 80 The findings underscore that success stems from integrated, culturally grounded systems rather than isolated programs, fostering not just qualifications but personal transformation and community impact.

Core Practice 1: Values-Driven Governance and Management

At the heart of high-performing providers is governance infused with clear values, ethos, and humanitarian ethics. Leaders prioritize understanding learners' individual needs, histories, and aspirations through pre-enrollment conversations and ongoing mentor systems. Non-hierarchical structures ensure all staff, including executives, interact daily with students and families, building trust without blame. 104

• Emphasis on listening and empathy to address 'baggage' like past failures.
• Alignment with iwi (tribal) and Pacific community values.
• Employment of Māori and Pacific staff for cultural authenticity.

This foundation creates environments where learners feel valued from day one, a model universities can adapt through inclusive leadership committees like Te Kāhui Amokura at Universities New Zealand.

Core Practice 2: Collaborative, Connected Learning Environments

Classrooms function as whānau (extended family) spaces, starting with whanaungatanga (relationships). Peer learning, tuakana-teina (older/younger sibling model), and group activities make learning 'loud, boisterous, fun,' with kai (food) shared and flexible schedules accommodating family duties. 104

• Experiential, kinaesthetic methods like sports, marae stays, and community projects.
• Practical placements linking study to real-world needs.
• Inclusivity for diverse ages and backgrounds.

Universities such as Massey University exemplify this with high on-campus pass rates of 88.1% for Māori TEC-funded students in 2025, second highest nationally. 73

Core Practice 3: Holistic Learner Support

Support extends beyond academics, using models like Te Whare Tapa Whā (four dimensions of wellbeing: physical, spiritual, family, mental). Providers offer free transport, tools, meals, housing aid, and lifelong pastoral care, minimizing barriers. 104 Daily acknowledgments of small wins build confidence.

In universities, the University of Auckland's Pacific Academy has expanded from 50 to over 630 students by 2024, improving first-year Pacific pass rates from 14% below average to 5% below. 101 Such wraparound services correlate with rising completions, with Māori bachelor's course completion at 80% for those ending in 2022. 74

Core Practice 4: Achievement and Outcomes That Matter

Programs deliver valued vocational qualifications, micro-credentials, and skills leading to employment and intergenerational change. Outcomes are measured by jobs secured, not just credits earned. 104

• Partnerships with employers and iwi for placements.
• Focus on identity exploration and multiple cultural worlds.
• Sustained support post-graduation.

Spotlight on Six Exemplary Private Training Establishments

The paper profiles PTEs like Community Colleges New Zealand (sports/hospitality for youth), Ignite Colleges (security, health for low-achievers), and Vertical Horizonz (construction with Māori/Pacific department). Each achieves parity in outcomes through tailored, community-linked programs. 104 These 'second-chance' models inspire universities facing enrollment challenges.

University-Led Initiatives Driving Change

New Zealand's eight universities prioritize Māori and Pacific success via targeted strategies. The University of Auckland's UE Success Plan and expanded Pathway Programmes have boosted enrolments, with 30%+ of school leavers choosing it. 101 Massey's Pūrehuroatanga initiative supports holistic achievement, while Otago leads in qualification completion. 76

Universities New Zealand's Building Māori and Pacific Success programs emphasize research, teaching innovations, and pastoral care, noting 48% of recent Māori graduates are first-in-family and 70% female. 2 Explore higher ed jobs supporting these efforts or NZ academic opportunities.

Recent Trends in Achievement Data

Positive shifts are evident: TEC reports show Māori and Pacific formal qualification completions rising, with gaps closing. 48 Provisional 2025 NCEA data reflects steady secondary attainment feeding into tertiary, with Year 13 Level 3 at 70.4% overall. 49 Participation rates for Māori and Pacific exceed others in provider-based tertiary. 79

Data from TEC audits; improvements ongoing. 72 For career advice, visit higher ed career advice.

Cultural Responsiveness: The Bedrock of Success

Effective strategies embed mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and Pacific worldviews, using te reo Māori, Pacific languages, and frameworks like whakapapa (genealogy). This counters inequities, as seen in Auckland's Pacific Strategy launched in 2025. 18 Stakeholders, including iwi leaders and educators, emphasize relational pedagogy over deficit models.

Challenges, Solutions, and Stakeholder Views

Challenges include funding shifts (e.g., 2026 TEC changes removing Māori/Pacific categories) and post-COVID disruptions. 40 Solutions: scalable NZQA practices, university-iwi partnerships. Experts advocate data-driven, collaborative approaches for parity by 2030.

• Targeted scholarships and mentoring.
• Staff professional development in cultural competency.
• Flexible online/hybrid delivery.

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Future Outlook: Towards Equity in New Zealand Higher Education

With NZQA's blueprint and university innovations, equitable tertiary success is achievable. Projections show continued gap closure, bolstered by policies like the Tertiary Education Strategy 2025-2030. 75 Educators can drive change by adopting these practices. For jobs advancing this work, explore faculty positions, higher ed jobs, university jobs, or career advice. Share your thoughts in the comments below.