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Date
10 September 2025
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/supporting-pacific-learners/upholding

Success as Pacific learners

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Develop cultural capability’

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Recognise identity, language and culture

Recognise identity, language and culture

It is important to recognise and build on the identity, language, and culture of Pacific learners.
Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/519275024

Source: Tapasā: Language, Identity and Culture (opens in a new tab/window)

Closed Captions

Source:
Tapasā: Language, Identity and Culture
https://tapasa.tki.org.nz/teaching-stories/where-am-i/the-importance-of-knowing-the-learner/language-identity-and-culture/

Build a nurturing environment

Build a nurturing environment

Create an environment that nurtures and values diverse cultural backgrounds so that learners feel supported, respected, and are able to uphold their cultural identity in their learning environment.

So one message I want to get out to everyone, to our teachers, to our students, and to the people of our community is to be proud of who you are, to be confident with your culture, to be confident with yourself and your background behind you because everyone has a story behind them.

Student, Cook Islands group, Manurewa High School

Source: Tapasā: The importance of identity (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Tapasā: The importance of identity
https://tapasa.tki.org.nz/teaching-stories/who-am-i/the-importance-of-identity/

Create authentic learning opportunities

Create authentic learning opportunities

Ensure families and community have space to share their expertise and knowledge
Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/519265219

Source: Tapasa: Involving family in learning and curriculum (opens in a new tab/window)

Closed Captions

Source:
Tapasa: Involving family in learning and curriculum
https://tapasa.tki.org.nz/teaching-stories/parent-and-whanau-engagement/involving-family-in-learning-and-curriculum/

Affirm Pacific learners as Pacific learners

Affirm Pacific learners as Pacific learners

Recognising cultural capital helps build an education system that meets the needs, and supports the achievement of, all learners

With our Pacific learners, they're able to use their own culture to express who they are in their own language so they have that choice of speaking in their language, writing in their language, and also creating art in the way that they think who they are.

Matua Lewis Anderson, Farm Cove Intermediate

Source: Tapasa: How do we fit together? (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Tapasa: How do we fit together?
https://tapasa.tki.org.nz/teaching-stories/who-am-i/how-do-we-fit-together/

Understand community expectations

Understand community expectations

Consider the varied expectations that Pacific learners balance alongside their school work, in their roles and responsibilities connected to church, sports, or social groups

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/113879056

Source: Pasifika Education Community (NZ) (opens in a new tab/window)

View transcript

Source:
Pasifika Education Community (NZ)
http://pasifika.tki.org.nz/Media-gallery/Engaging-with-Pasifika-parents-families-communities/Different-Worlds-Different-Experiences

Reflection questions

Reflection questions

Consider your responses to these questions. What actions do they inspire?
  • What are the different ways you are building strong relationships with parents?
  • What opportunities do you have to talk and connect with Pacific parents?
  • Reflect on the attendance of Pacific parents and whānau at school interviews. How are Pacific parents responding to emails, newsletters, written invitations, phone calls, or home visits?
  • How do you engage with Pacific parents over potential problems or particular issues concerning their child?
  • How are you developing a shared responsibility that strengthens parent-school partnerships?

Source: Tapasa: Communicating with parents and whānau (opens in a new tab/window)

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Develop cultural capability”:

Return to the guide “Supporting Pacific learners”

11440 [Pasifika-students.jpg]

Supporting Pacific learners

How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Supporting ākonga Māori

Understand:

  • How to use this guide

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

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