Explore Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to cultural diversity and inclusivity through its Refreshed Action Plan for Pacific Education. Rooted in the foundational Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, this comprehensive strategy focuses on empowering Pacific communities, addressing bias, fostering cultural competence, strengthening Pacific languages, and prioritizing holistic support. Discover how these key shifts are set to uplift learners, enrich cultural heritage, and pave the way for equitable education outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Aotearoa New Zealand, known for its rich cultural diversity, holds a special place for the indigenous Māori people and their language, Te Reo Māori. As part of its commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity, the nation also acknowledges Pacific languages and cultures as essential components of its identity.
The guiding document for this recognition is Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which serves as the foundation for Aotearoa, emphasizing tino rangatiratanga (self-determination) for tangata whenua (indigenous people). In this spirit of partnership and equity, the Action Plan for Pacific Education was launched in 2020.
The Action Plan was developed through extensive engagement with diverse Pacific communities and educators across New Zealand. Over 2,000 people participated, providing valuable insights into the issues and opportunities in education. The plan’s vision extends over ten years, focusing on five key shifts needed to promote equitable outcomes for Pacific learners. The plan’s success is being monitored and actions updated every two years, ensuring it remains responsive to current needs and aspirations.
One crucial aspect of the Action Plan is the commitment to support the growth of Pacific languages in education. Research indicates that learners supported in their community languages achieve improved education and well-being outcomes. This language preservation effort aligns with the goals of the Pacific Languages Strategy, aiming to strengthen pathways and resources for learning and retaining Pacific languages.
The plan recognizes three categories for Pacific languages: Urgent Revitalization, Strengthening Transmission and Maintenance, and Support for Community-Led Action. Each category responds to the language’s current state, demographics, and its relationship with Aotearoa. With a tailored approach, the plan aims to create bilingual and immersion education settings across early learning, schooling, and tertiary education. This involves supporting current education pathways for languages like Samoan, Tongan, Tokelauan, Niuean, and Cook Islands Māori.
The Ministry of Education and partner agencies will employ various levers to support Pacific Languages in Education. This includes empowering knowledge holders within communities and providing necessary resources and tools. The Ministry will measure progress regularly, ensuring transparency and accountability to Pacific communities.
While the Action Plan has made significant strides since its inception, there is acknowledgment that more work remains. The commitment to Pacific languages and cultures is an ongoing journey, requiring collaboration, reciprocity, and sustained effort. Through this collective action, Aotearoa New Zealand aims to create an inclusive education system that celebrates and preserves the diverse linguistic heritage of its Pacific communities.
The Action Plan for Pacific Education is a comprehensive strategy aimed at uplifting the educational outcomes and wellbeing of Pacific communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Recognizing the unique diversity and needs of Pacific learners and their families, the plan outlines five key shifts to bring about positive changes in early learning, schooling, tertiary education, and communities.
The Action Plan for Pacific Education 2023 has been updated to include a stronger focus on Pacific bilingual and immersion education, as well as Pacific Languages in Education. It outlines the Government’s committed actions for achieving their vision and highlights the next investment from the Government. The plan also encompasses the key shifts necessary to support Pacific learners and their families.
The Key Shifts
Key Shift 1: Empowering Pacific Communities
The first key shift centers around empowering Pacific communities to shape their education aspirations and needs. By working collaboratively with diverse Pacific communities, the Ministry of Education seeks to respond to unmet needs, promote bilingual and immersion education pathways, and address urgent issues, such as the financial cost of education. The plan encourages regular “fono” or meetings with families to understand their requirements better and build a responsive curriculum based on community needs and values.
Key Shift 2: Addressing Discrimination and Bias
This shift acknowledges the legacy of colonization and discriminatory practices that persist in the education system. The plan aims to address racism, discrimination, and bias by fostering inclusive learning environments and supporting whānau (families) in engaging with educational institutions. Professional learning and development opportunities centered around anti-racism are proposed for teachers and leaders. The plan highlights the importance of embracing and supporting diverse Pacific communities, including those with disabilities and learning support needs, and the LGBTQIA+/MVPFAFF9 community
.Key Shift 3: Culturally Competent Educators
The success of Pacific learners significantly depends on the quality of their teachers and educators. Key Shift 3 focuses on enabling every teacher and educational professional to take coordinated action to become culturally competent with diverse Pacific learners. The “Tapasa” cultural competency framework will be integrated into initial teacher education programs, and professional learning supports will be developed to implement the curriculum with cultural inclusivity. This shift emphasizes celebrating and valuing Pacific success in learning environments and reflecting Pacific cultures in the content and culture of educational institutions.
Key Shift 4: Strengthening Pacific Languages
Preserving and strengthening Pacific languages is a core component of the refreshed action plan. Recognizing the role of language in maintaining cultural identity and enhancing educational outcomes, the plan includes initiatives to expand language resources, support bilingual and immersion units, and promote access to Pacific language subjects at all education levels. A comprehensive communication campaign will be launched to raise awareness of the value of Pacific languages and multilingualism.
Key Shift 5: Pacific Wellbeing and Holistic Support
Key Shift 5 prioritizes the holistic support and wellbeing of Pacific learners and their families. It encompasses initiatives from various government agencies to improve health, mental health, employment, and community support for Pacific communities. Additionally, targeted training and apprenticeship programs will be continued to meet industry skill needs, while Pacific school leaver transitions into tertiary education will be given special attention.
What result these changes will bring
The Refreshed Action Plan for Pacific Education, with its five key shifts and comprehensive initiatives, is expected to bring several positive impacts and results for Pacific learners and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. These outcomes are aimed at promoting equity, cultural richness, and success in education.
The Refreshed Action Plan for Pacific Education is expected to bring positive impacts, including
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Improved academic outcomes and higher achievement.
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Empowered educators with cultural competency.
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Inclusive and safe learning environments.
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Stronger community engagement and support.
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Language preservation and revitalization.
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Increased graduation rates and student success.
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Enhanced Pacific well-being and holistic development.
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Enriched cultural diversity in educational institutions.
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Increased community leadership and ownership.
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Positive social impact through equitable opportunities.
Read more on – Education.GOVT.NZ Action Plan and the strategy involved in this development here.
