Jump to content Jump to site navigation main-menu Left column sub navigation menu Jump to page header Jump to page footer
Māori

Fill out our online survey for a chance to win an $80 gift voucher

Careers New Zealand would like your feedback on our services, and how we could improve. Fill out our 15-minute survey and you'll go in the draw to win one of three $80 Whitcoulls vouchers. Thank you for your time.

Survey - be in to win!

Contact us

Call us on 0800 222 733

Study support for Māori students

When choosing where to study, one factor to consider is the quality of support the training provider offers to Māori students.

What support is there for Māori tertiary students?

Besides your whānau, friends and colleagues, there are two types of organised Māori student support services at tertiary providers:

  • paid staff of the university/polytechnic who specialise in supporting Māori students
  • voluntary Māori student associations run by students.

What does a high-quality Māori tertiary study support service look like?

The best support services are:

  • visible – they let you know they are there
  • tailored to your needs
  • able to provide different types of support – personal, academic, social and spiritual
  • able to help you apply the qualifications and knowledge you have gained to your whānau at home.

  • Watch a slideshow about Māori support services at Unitec
Dr Pita Sharples

The importance of tertiary education for Māori

"Māori people with degrees have a high participation rate in the workforce of 90 percent, they have a strong resilience to unemployment of 3 percent, and they earn 150 percent more than Māori people without degrees. At the macro level, increasing the returns of Māori labour is the single most important action for improving Māori prosperity, and ensuring that more Māori students get degrees is paramount."

Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Māori Affairs & Associate Minister of Education


    Studying at university or polytechnic – will I need support?

    Three students at a desk looking at a computer
    A good support team can help you succeed at university or polytech

    If you decide to take up tertiary study, you could find the tertiary environment hard to adjust to for many reasons.

    Research and the experiences of past students have shown that Māori students at universities and polytechnics can struggle to fit into the tertiary environment because it is largely monocultural.

    Universities and polytechnics now try to provide academic, cultural and social support from a kaupapa Māori base and in support of Māori cultural identity, to improve academic success.

    You may look for study support because you:

    • want a home away from home – a friendly, relaxed Māori space for study
    • need some extra tuition to help with academic study
    • would like to socialise and make new friends
    • want to contribute to a whānau environment for others
    • wish to affirm your identity as Māori, and learn more about your cultural background
    • want to pursue sporting or cultural interests
    • need help managing your finances and applying for scholarships
    • are looking for a mentor to help guide you through your studies
    • want to connect your course content with a Māori world view, and apply your knowledge to make a difference back in your home community
    • are keen to be active on political issues affecting Māori students
    • are looking for support for your transition out of tertiary study.

    Support services that tertiary providers may offer

    Some tertiary providers offer a wide range of services for Māori students. They may even have purpose-built marae on campus, bringing these services together in a uniquely Māori space.

    Remember to check with the provider what is offered.

    Examples of cultural/whānau support

    • Provision of a marae/wharenui space for students.
    • Kapa haka groups.
    • Sporting events.
    • Shared kai.
    • Iwi community networks.
    • Māori graduation.
    • Māori childcare facilities.
    • Accommodation help.
    • Conversational te reo Māori sessions.
    • Treaty of Waitangi workshops.

    Examples of academic and learning support

    • Assistance with study and library skills.
    • Help with exam preparation.
    • Peer study groups.
    • Computer and study space.
    • Writing support.
    • Maths and calculations support.
    • Mentoring.
    • One-on-one tutorials.
    • Faculty support.

    Examples of pastoral guidance

    • Information on, and assistance with scholarships.
    • Assistance with student loan and allowance applications.
    • Personal counselling.
    • Assistance with accommodation.
    • Budgeting advice.
    • Liaison with whānau.
     

    How can I find out what Māori student support an institution provides?

    You can:

    • talk to past or current Māori students about their experiences at university, wānanga or polytech. Use your networks to find out which campuses are likely to be most supportive of your situation, and tailored to your needs
    • visit university, polytech or wānanga websites for more information
    • find out if the campus has a Māori student association and designated Māori support staff – this may be important for you
    • if at high school, make sure to ask questions during tertiary liaison visits
    • go to career expos and visit the tertiary provider stands. Take a list of questions to ask and make notes while you are there
    • attend tertiary open days and orientation events on campus before enrolling to get a feel for what is offered to Māori students
    • contact the Māori student association tumuaki and/or Māori student support staff directly to talk with them about what they offer
    • arrange an on-site visit to the campus and ask for a Māori student support staff member to guide you through the facilities.

    Studying at wānanga – why is it different?

    Wānanga provide an extra level of comfort and support for Māori students, especially those returning to study, or those studying a course founded in Māori philosophy.

    Wānanga:

    • are founded on a kaupapa Māori philosophy
    • are run by predominantly Māori staff
    • are designed to provide open access to students, meaning all are welcome to learn regardless of previous academic achievements
    • focus on providing a supportive whānau environment inside the classroom, as well as outside, through an extensive student support network
    • offer many courses for free, or at minimal cost.