The strong Pacific presence in Manukau City isn’t fully reflected in student numbers at its leading tertiary institution, the Manukau Institute of Technology. But a groundbreaking report targeting Pasifika shows clear goals which aims to change all that, encouraging more Pasifika people into tertiary education to reflect the city’s multicultural face and strategic position on a national scale.
Dr Stuart Middleton, the executive director of external relations at MIT, says raising the levels of education of its Pacific population will not only benefit his region, but the nation.
“Pasifika is a significant part of the Manukau community and that of New Zealand due to the growth in our area,” says Dr Middleton, who launched MIT’s Pasifika Development Strategy at a Pasifika Organisations Forum in April. “We have to make sure they’re well represented in all levels of employment, as it’s in the best interests for all concerned to encourage more young Pacific people into tertiary education.”
The Manukau Institute of Technology sees its location as fundamental to its increased focus on developing Pasifi ka students. Situated in New Zealand’s most Pacific-concentrated area, MIT will look to work more closely with the community to achieve its goal.
Part of the concern is that MIT’s enrolment does not reflect the city’s demographic. The institute is now implementing strategies to increase Pasifika enrolment.
With Manukau on course to become one of the country’s most strategic social and economic hubs in the future, Middleton says MIT’s success is important locally and nationally.
MIT is hoping to follow the success of its Maori support strategies by implementing a Pasifika Development scheme, which will increase Pasifika graduates to 25% in 2010. Middleton says this will be done by involving the Pasifika community, encouraging international and domestic Pacific people to enrol, and employing more Pacific staff. The institution has already started by establishing a Pasifika Development group last year.
MIT is also hoping to build a Pasifika Centre, which will be built near the Marae on Otara Road.
“We want it to be a place that provides a focus within MIT for Pasifika development, for Pasifika students and we want to develop it in a way that involves the community,” says Middleton.
Middleton also says the position of the centre on Otara Road is significant.
“That’s a very strong statement about our wanting to signal that we’re in the community we’re in.”
The possibility of the building is being discussed with the community through Pasifika forums. These are biannual meetings with Pasifi ka churches, businesses and organisations.
Pasifika Development Manager, Toleafoa Sina Aiolupotea-Aiono, says the community is positive about the change and she is encouraged to see churches with different beliefs work together for Pasifika advancement.
“What’s exciting is that you get all these church leaders from different denominations. That’s not common to get a whole lot of Pasifika church leaders in one space. This forum enables them to be united in their interests in their Pacific community.”
She says working with organisations that have the same goals for the Pacific community is logical.
“If we work through collaboration then our message to our Pasifika community is clear.”
She gives the example of MIT working with Counties Manukau District Health Board in which both organisations have similar themes to further Pacific advancement.
MIT has also stated its plans to encourage international students and staff from the Pacific Islands. Among its goals in the strategy focusing from the present to 2010, MIT aspires to be the preferred provider of polytechnic education for Pasifika people in the South Pacific.
Staff from the National University of Samoa may soon be teaching their special Samoan language programme at MIT. MIT hopes to encourage more international staff members by developing good networks in the Pacific region and offering programmes that develop skills.
Middleton believes that not only will Pasifika teachers add to the range of existing subjects, but they will also provide leadership through the Tagata Pasifika Network.
“They’re a very important part of Pasifika development project because they are providing Pasifika leadership throughout MIT.”
