A holistic 'Pasifika Initiative' for Pasifika tertiary students: - A cultural perspective

Challenging pass rates for Pasifika students in tertiary education around New Zealand may indicate a mismatch of appropriate cultural support. The Pasifika student has a holistic worldview that incorporates a collective... [ view full abstract ]

Challenging pass rates for Pasifika students in tertiary education around New Zealand may indicate a mismatch of appropriate cultural support. The Pasifika student has a holistic worldview that incorporates a collective approach based on relationship sustainance. Therefore a holistic approach must be adopted to preserve and nurture relationships for Pasifika tertiary students. This intervention involves Anae’s (2010) ‘Teu le va’ cultural understanding of relationships between staff and student, maintaining the space between and strengthening it collectively. Pulotu-Endemann’s (2001) ‘Fonofale’ model of health has been adapted to suit the ‘Pasifika Initiative’ (P.I) by integrating the fundamental facets of a Samoan person and tertiary support. The Auckland University of Technology ‘Pasifika Learning Village’ (PLV) model uses such cultural concepts of relationship and has resulted in successful Pasifika students, academics and health professionals. By reconciling these differences the gap between Pasifika students and appropriate tertiary support may be improved.