Children of the migrant dreamers: Comparing the experiences of Pasifika students in two secondary schools attempting to be culturally responsive to mine from a generation ago

Abstract

Since the 1950s the original Migrant Dreamers have come from their home islands of the Pacific to Aotearoa New Zealand, in the hopes of gaining a better life with Education being that ticket to happiness. The title of this thesis, Children of the Migrant Dreamers, refers to their posterity. This thesis investigates the experiences of Pasifika students in two secondary schools involved in the Te Kotahitanga project. External statistical evidence has shown Te Kotahitanga to be successful for all students, including Pasifika students. This thesis attempts to see if, and how far, the educational aspirations of the Migrant Dreamers were being manifested or realised through comparison of the Pasifika students experiences in these two schools with my own from over a generation ago. What I found was a much more positive picture in the way Pasifika students are being treated compared to my own schooling experiences. Although Pasifika students in both schools admitted that their schooling experiences were far from perfect, they were fully aware of the efforts put in by their respective schools on their behalf. The lessons to be learned from my research can be of use to teachers of students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. It can also be of use to the Pasifika students and their families now residing in Aotearoa New Zealand. These experiences serve as a reminder tat within this culturally diverse land, we are all the descendant children of Alii.