Post-COVID Recovery in Secondary Attainment

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted education across New Zealand, with lockdowns, remote learning challenges, and health concerns hitting Māori and Pacific students particularly hard due to factors like overcrowding, limited home resources, and cultural family obligations. University Entrance (UE), the minimum qualification for university admission requiring NCEA Level 3 with specific literacy and numeracy credits, saw Māori and Pacific attainment drop from 40% in 2020 to 34% in 2022, compared to a national decline from 53% to 50%. This gap highlighted longstanding inequities, but recent data signals recovery.

NZQA's final 2024 statistics reveal slight lifts for equity groups. For Year 13 NCEA Level 3, Māori attainment reached 64.6% (up from prior provisional figures), Pacific 67.6%, against overall 69.4%. UE stood at 31.9% for Māori and 32.2% for Pacific, versus 50.6% nationally—improved marginally from 2023. These gains, though modest, mark progress post-disruption, with NZQA noting positive shifts at Levels 2, 3, and UE for Māori and Pacific learners.

University of Auckland's UE Success Partnership

Leading the charge is Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland's UE Success initiative, launched in April 2024 with 12 Auckland secondary schools. By March 2026, it expanded to 19 partners, including Henderson High, Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, St Paul’s College, and Westlake Boys High. The program emphasizes data-driven course design, external exam confidence, culturally responsive transitions, and family engagement to prepare students for tertiary success.

Outcomes are promising: first-year pass rates rose 2 percentage points for Māori and 5 for Pacific over two years. Partner schools report surges in UE applications, offers, and university acceptances. UoA led national applications from Māori and Pacific school leavers last year, crediting the partnership. Associate Director Liletina Vaka stresses, “UE Success ensures learners don’t just enter the gate, they cross the stage,” targeting parity by 2030.

Supporting Programs and Admission Schemes

Beyond UE Success, the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS) at UoA provides tailored support, outperforming general equity group outcomes in pass rates and progression. UoA's Pacific Academy expanded from 50 students in 2022 to over 630 in 2024, set to grow to six sites. Similar efforts at other universities, like Universities New Zealand's focus on building Pacific success, have boosted equivalent full-time students (EFTS) by 30% since 2014 to 10,805 (9% of domestic total).

Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori immersion schools) shine, with UE rates up to 41% versus 24% in comparable mainstream schools, driven by culturally affirming pedagogies.

• Strengthened whānau involvement in learning pathways.
• Emphasis on te reo Māori and tikanga integration.
• Higher merit/excellence endorsements.

Broader University Enrollment Trends

These secondary gains translate to higher education upticks. UoA saw increased Māori and Pacific school leavers enrolling, comprising 34% of its domestic first-years despite population shares. Nationally, Māori participation rises at higher qualification levels, with doctorate students up 67% since 2012. Semester 1 2026 tertiary boom reflects recovery, aiding equity pathways.

Universities NZ Building Māori Success report details steady progress underpinned by kaupapa Māori approaches.

Persistent Challenges and Equity Gaps

Despite gains, gaps endure: Māori/Pacific UE at ~32% lags national 50.6%. Factors include socioeconomic barriers, attendance issues, and literacy/numeracy co-requisites. Post-2022 recovery is partial; provisional 2025 shows overall dips (L3 70.4%, UE 49.9%), urging vigilance.

Case Studies: Schools and Students Thriving

At partner schools like St Paul’s College, redesigned assessments prioritize external credits, boosting UE readiness. Student stories highlight resilience: a Pacific learner from Henderson High credits UE Success mentoring for her engineering offer. Kura like Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae topped NCEA pass rates, outperforming state averages.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Strategies

Experts like Katalina Ma advocate balancing internal/external credits for first-year readiness. Pathways Manager notes data redesigns in Rarotonga-inspired models. Universities hold mutual accountability, fostering belonging from day one.

• Culturally grounded engagement.
• Data-informed subject choices.
• Whānau partnerships for retention.

Future Outlook: Pathways to Parity

With 2030 parity goals, scaling UE Success regionally promises sustained gains. Increased EFTS, scholarships like Māori Academic Excellence, and policy support (e.g., Budget 2025's $111.4m for enrolments) position NZ universities to close gaps. Actionable insights: prioritize external exams, cultural affirmation, and seamless transitions for intergenerational benefits in employment and wellbeing.

NZQA Attainment by the Numbers 2024 underscores momentum toward equity.

Implications for Higher Education Institutions

Universities must amplify bridges like MAPAS, invest in first-year support, and collaborate on curriculum alignment. Gains signal potential for diverse campuses enriching research and leadership, vital for Aotearoa's future.

Photo by Kishan Modi on Unsplash