Our research and Talanoa (conversations)

Discover the research themes and existing projects, and watch and participate in talanoa.

Fofola na ibe—Improving Pasifika Legal Education in Aotearoa

This report follows the initial literature review and summarises the experiences of 130 Pasifika law students, graduates and practitioners. The research was undertaken through Talanoa―a traditional, inclusive, and participatory dialogue process—a first-of-its-kind approach for legal research.

Read the full report

Collaborative research hub aims

The Improving Pasifika Legal Education Project research hub aims to:

  • make available, organise and publicise existing research
  • highlight Pasifika expertise in areas of direct relevance to law and Pasifika in New Zealand
  • develop networks between Pasifika leaders, activists, community groups and researchers, and
  • identify new areas for research, activism, and legal reform.

It opens a space to share learning and take action to improve Pasifika success rates in law programmes around the country, by:

  • researching the factors influencing pass rates for Pasifika in law
  • developing a pathway for Pasifika law students across Aotearoa New Zealand to be supported to study in this area
  • building the number of Pasifika lawyers so that the Pacific community is better represented and understood in Aotearoa New Zealand’s legal system.

This research hub focuses on the themes of Equity, Belonging, and Authority and Power. You can find out more about the themes below.

Research themes

At the core of the project is research on themes of Equity, Belonging, and Authority.

Improving Pasifika Legal Education project

Read a welcome to the Improving Pasifika Legal Education Project from Hon Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban.

Talanoa (conversations)

Find out about Talanoa (conversations) as a research methodology, discover where to participate in virtual Talanoa, and watch past Talanoa.

Literature review

Our literature review brings together existing research on barriers to Pasifika people entering the legal profession.