Understanding Māori and Pacific Business Students’ Learning and Study Preferences

Abstract

The principal aim of this current study was to understand Māori and Pacific Business students’ learning and study preferences. This project builds on existing survey research conducted in the Business School which indicates that Pacific Business students prefer a collectivist environment to working whereas Māori Business students’ prefer more of an individualist working environment. Six focus groups were conducted to explore Māori and Pacific Business students’ values, beliefs, ideals and preferences in relation to their work learning environments and study practices. Furthermore, interest was focused on the implications any of these learning and working style differences would have on the current design and implementation of the He Tuākana Programme. The overall finding from this study indicates that both Māori and Pacific Business students prefer an individualistic approach to learning and studying.