The current policies and their impact has been that they have provided a template as to where-to-from-now mind set so that future policies may build on the gaps of implementation.
The ‘Tertiary Education Strategies’ [17]has meant that the definition of success (as discussed earlier) have expanded and although it is stringent and conflicting to create ways of measuring success it must be done to find out if the programmes in place are working.
This strategy has picked up that the increase of Pasifika participation is in the areas of trade and technical skill and is further supported by the Employment Social Report and although it is good that these areas are being filled as opposed to a climbing rate of unemployment[18] and dependency of governmental financial aid it is still a worry that Pasifika people are overrepresented in these areas of work.[19]
The current policies also focus on ensuring that people are aware of financial assistance both in student loan and allowances and although they can be quite a big fee the hopes are in that parents and students see it as a positive investment in their future.
Pasifika students should not regard themselves nor be seen as a deficit of an economic driven market force otherwise known as education. The investments that are made in assessing, critiquing and eliminating the barriers to the accessibility to education and the resources are a right of Pasifika students as well as other citizens of New Zealand.
[17] Education, Ministry of. “Tertiary Education Strategy 2002/07.” p.15-66. Wellington, 2002.
[18] http://www.socialreport.msd.govt.nz/paid-work/employment.html
[19] Education, Ministry of. “Pasifika Education Plan.” p.1-16. Wellington, 2008.