The Ministry of Education has compiled annual reports on the participation of Maori in tertiary education. The 2002 report presented a comprehensive description of Maori participation across all tertiary institutions within New Zealand in that year. The figures show that Maori are markedly under-represented in tertiary institutions, particularly universities. The barriers encountered by Maori students can either directly or indirectly impact on Maori participation, retention and success. The more disturbing outcome is that of withdrawal or dropping out of higher education, is more likely when a Maori student experiences and has to confront multiple rather than single barriers. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to examine and identify trends apparent in data records of Maori students enrolled in courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Waikato between 1997 and 2002 and to make recommendations to the Faculty about how negative trends might be addressed. Specific areas for analysis are detailed in the report.