Pasifika support

Open Polytechnic is committed to supporting lifelong learning for Pasifika people.

Our aim is to provide flexible and personalised education services to Pasifika people both living in New Zealand and in Pacific Island nations.

We contribute to the New Zealand Government’s overseas development assistance strategy through our participation in consultancy and project work in the Pacific, including managing the Commonwealth of Learning’s Pacific Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) project.

We also offer scholarships for Pasifika people. These are currenty under review, however if you'd like more information please contact our Learner Advisor, Maori on 0508 650 200.

Open Polytechnic recognises that distance learning provides a real opportunity for Pasifka communities to engage in upskilling and lifelong learning.

Therefore our key targets include:

  • Working with our staff to implement our Pasifika people’s strategy, including safe stakeholder consultation and engagement
  • Actively seeking and raising the profile of our education partners for delivering our courses
  • Being linked to the Pasifika education community by financial membership to the Association of Pasifika Staff in Tertiary Education (APSTE)
  • Raising the percentage of Pasifika students studying with us
  • Providing effective advice to the Pasifika Education Plan (Ministry of Education) and the Stakeholder Community Engagement Group (Tertiary Education Commission) about helpful ways to encourage achievement and success in Pasifika education
  • Raising the completions by, and celebrating the success of, Pasifika learners.
  • In 2009 over 2,600 Pasifika students were enrolled with us – they made up 5% of our students.

Results of our student satisfaction survey showed that 95% of Pasifika students were satisfied with their overall relationship with Open Polytechnic.

We deliver some courses in conjunction with Pasifika providers such as Martin Hautus, Pacific Peoples Learning Institute, the Lavea’i Trust Inc, the New Zealand Management Academy (NZMA), Puataunofo and Pasifika churches.