Pasifika Education External Networks

External networks

The Pasifika unit has established a number of external groups that assist with ensuring the successful implementation of the Pasifika Education Plan. These external networks are able to be accessed by the wider Ministry whenever needed.

Pasifika Advisory Group

The Ministry's external Pasifika Advisory Group, established in 1995, comprises members with a wide range of skills nominated by their Pasifika communities from across the country. Pasifika Advisory Group members worked with the Ministry in developing the first Plan and have assisted with its implementation, review and update, in consultation with Pasifika communities. As well, the Group provides advice and feedback on a variety of Ministry activities including policy development, implementation processes and Ministerials. Members also participate in various Ministry committees and working groups. The Group's functions include assisting the Ministry:

• In developing strategies for addressing the educational needs of Pasifika peoples through consultation and providing feedback
• In the further development and implementation of the Plan
• With its community consultations and disseminating information to Pasifika communities.

The Pasifika Advisory Group continues to provide strong links with other Ministry consultative and working groups, including the Schools Consultative Committee, the ECE Strategic Plan Working Group, Equity Funding Working Groups and the development and monitoring of the Tertiary Education Strategy. This involvement provides opportunities for Pasifika perspectives to be considered in these forums and strengthen the achievement of the Plan's goals.

The Pasifika Advisory Group also has representation from key sector and Pasifika groups such as the Komiti Pasifika groups of the New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI) and Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA), Pacific Island Training Providers of New Zealand (PITPONZ), Pacific Tertiary Association (PTA), Pacific Nations Educators Association (PNEA) and the NZ University Students' Association, Pacific Executive.

With a wide representation from Pasifika communities and a role of disseminating information, the Pasifika Advisory Group provides a great opportunity for Ministry staff to either receive feedback on policy or operational issues, or to provide information for wider dissemination.

Currently, the Group meetings are three times a year and organised by the Pasifika Unit. If you would like to take advantage of the opportunities the Pasifika Advisory Group presents, please contact Aleeta Hau on (04) 463-8517.

Pasifika Advisory Group members

Local Community Reference Groups

A more recent development has been the establishment and ongoing development of local reference groups focused on Pasifika education. Each Ministry office has worked with both the Pasifika Team and Pasifika Advisory Group members to set up these groups, spread across the regions as appropriate.

Each group has a slightly different function and role, depending on the needs of the Regional and Local office. Generally the groups assist in identifying local priorities and work with the Ministry to achieve these goals. In Wellington for example, the group has been divided into sub-groups, one for each education sector. These sub-groups meet separately and report back to the main group. They provide opportunities for targeted interaction with people familiar with the issues in each sector.

Memberships of the groups vary. However, all groups have representatives from each Pasifika ethnic group present in their area; many of them are nominated by their communities.

As these groups are focused solely on education, they provide another vehicle for Ministry divisions and staff to access Pasifika communities across the country and outside more formalised structures.

List of Pasifika Education Reference Groups:

• Auckland
• Hamilton
• Rotorua
• Tokoroa
• Napier
• New Plymouth
• Wanganui
• Palmerston North
• Levin
• Wellington
• Nelson
• Christchurch
• Dunedin
• Invercargill

 
To take advantage of the opportunities presented by these local groups, please contact the local Pasifika Education Co-ordinator.