Investing in “success” as Māori and Pacific: The collaborative development of Ngā Tau Tuangahuru, a longitudinal evaluation study

Abstract

In 2006, the ASB Community Trust (now Foundation North) committed $20 million to raising Māori and Pacific educational achievement in Auckland and Northland. Ten providers were funded through the Māori and Pacific Education Initiative (MPEI) to implement innovative educational approaches in their communities. Evaluators developed an overarching MPEI theory of change and assessed this initial phase of MPEI as highly effective. Foundation North has since committed to Ngā Tau Tuangahuru ("Looking beyond for ten more years"), a 10-year longitudinal evaluation study involving students and families from five MPEI provider communities. This study will test and deepen the MPEI theory of change, particularly from students' and families' perspectives. This article describes how the study team worked with six MPEI providers over 2 years to collaboratively design this study. Agreement was reached that the study will explore what 'success' looks like for Māori and Pacific students and their families, and what supports this success at individual, family, educational, and community levels. Community