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

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 Pasifika students

When choosing where to study after you leave school, one factor to consider is the quality of support the training provider offers to Pasifika students.

Who supports Pasifika tertiary students?

Many training providers offer targeted support for Pasifika students to assist them with any practical, academic, social or financial issues they may be having.

Universities and polytechnics also have academic co-ordinators and mentoring programmes aimed at helping Pasifika students to achieve academic success.

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

The best support services ensure they 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 family and community back home.

Studying at university or polytechnic – will I need support?

A group of Pasifika students sitting on the steps at a university
Networking with other Pasifika students can help you with your studies

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

The tertiary environment can feel very different from secondary school, and the traditionally Western academic model that most tertiary providers operate from can sometimes feel very isolating for Pasifika students.

You may look for study support because you:

  • want a home away from home – a friendly, relaxed Pasifika 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 supportive learning environment for others
  • wish to affirm your identity as Pasifika, 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 Pasifika world view, and apply your knowledge to make a difference back in your home community
  • are keen to be active on political issues affecting Pasifika 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 Pasifika students. They may even have purpose-built fale on campus, bringing these services together in a uniquely Pasifika space.

Remember to check with the provider what is offered.

Examples of cultural support

  • Provision of fono rooms.
  • Networking with other Pasifika students.
  • Pasifika orientation.
  • Pasifika clubs.
  • Sports teams.
  • Pasifika mentoring.
  • Accommodation help.
  • Pasifika 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.
  • Group 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 family.

Examples of Pasifika support at tertiary institutions

Below are some links to the type of support that tertiary training organisations offer Pasifika students.

Remember that this isn’t an exhaustive list. It pays to find out more and ask your own questions about the support provided at different institutions.

Shalen Kumar

Support from Āwhina, a Victoria University support service for Pasifika and Māori has helped Shalen Kumar through his studies. "At first, I used the mentoring services myself, and then I became a mentor. It's a great experience and I particularly enjoy organising activities for community outreach, which involves schools and the wider community groups."

Shalen Kumar, Doctorate Student

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

Two Pasifika students sitting at the computer in the library
Pasifika students searching for support options online

You can:

  • talk to past or current Pasifika students about their experiences at university or polytech. Use your networks to find out which campuses are likely to be most supportive of your situation, and tailored to your needs
  • look on university or polytech websites for more information
  • find out if the campus has Pasifika liaison staff who can answer your questions
  • attend tertiary open days and orientation events on campus before enrolling to get a feel for what is offered to Pasifika students
  • ask if the provider has mentoring or academic support for Pasifika students
  • find out if the provider has any papers in your subject area that are taught from a Pasifika perspective, or include specific elements of Pasifika culture
  • arrange an on-site visit to the campus and ask for a Pasifika student support staff member to guide you through the facilities. Take the opportunity to find out if there are any specific Pasifika clubs, sports teams or social networks.

  • NZ Herald website - read about Isabella Rasch’s role as a Pasifika student support adviser at Auckland University of Technology