TITLE:
Folauga: A Model to Support the Retention and Success of Pacific Students in Higher Education in Aotearoa New Zealand
AUTHORS:
Faafetai Sopoaga, Shyamala Nada-Raja, Tim Wilkinson
KEYWORDS:
Pacific Students, New Zealand, Tertiary Studies, Tinto’s Model, Folauga Model, Equity
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.8,
August
21,
2024
ABSTRACT: Education is an important social determinant factor that impacts on the health and wellbeing of communities. It influences employment, ability to earn an income with subsequent flow on effects on housing and basic amenities for living. Pacific peoples make up approximately 9% of the total population of Aotearoa New Zealand and is a youthful population with 50% aged 25 years or younger. They are disproportionately represented in poor health and education outcomes. Pacific young people are less likely compared to other ethnic groups to attend university or transition well into the tertiary environment. Tinto’s longitudinal model of institutional departure is one of the very first models to highlight issues important for the retention and success of students in higher education. This research examined the relevance of Tinto’s model for Pacific students in the tertiary environment in New Zealand. While all components in Tinto’s model were relevant, additional areas were identified as important for Pacific students’ success. We propose the Folauga model, an adaptation of Tinto’s model incorporating additional components of culture, identity, health and well-being to support the retention and success of Pacific students in higher education in New Zealand.