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Māori and Pasifika Perspectives of Australian Higher Education
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Māori and Pasifika Perspectives of Australian Higher Education

Rebecca Wren, Lucy Campion, Vaoiva Natapu-Ponton and Andrew Harvey
JANZSSA. Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association, pp.1-15
01/02/2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30688/janzssa.2026-2-01
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Abstract

Māori and Pasifika students Higher education Student equity Migrants
There are nearly 500,000 Māori and Pasifika people living in Australia. Despite this substantial population, university attainment rates for Māori and Pasifika students are approximately one third of those of other Australians. Little is known about the causes of this attainment gap, including specific factors that influence student access, success, and retention for these groups. This study seeks to address this evidence gap by examining the experiences of Māori and Pasifika students at a university in South East Queensland, Australia. Students were asked about the factors that contributed to their success at university, as well as the challenges that confronted them in their studies. Findings identified several cultural, familial, and community strengths that assisted Māori and Pasifika students to succeed, as well as financial, health, and broader challenges that impeded course completion. Based on these findings, we advocate development of specific, culturally responsive strategies to support Māori and Pasifika students at university, which could be developed with students, academics, and community leaders.

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