Equity for Māori and Pasifika Students: The Objectives and Characteristics of Equity Committees in a New Zealand University

Abstract

Approaches to achieving and managing equity for Māori1 and Pasifika2 tertiary students differ among the eight universities in Aotearoa3/New Zealand. Achieving equity in educational attainment for Māori and Pasifika tertiary students is stated as a key objective in nearly all of the universities’ mission statements or charters, and equity committees have been set up to ensure equitable outcomes. These committees are generally made up of junior academic or administrative staff members. In contrast, managing the university's equity plan is the role of those in senior academic positions within the university. This article investigates the perspectives of six equity leaders at an urban university in one of the country's largest cities on the objectives and characteristics of equity committees and the influence of the dominant paradigm in achieving equity.