Sue Stephens

Sue is a researcher and a Kaimanaaki (Student learning Advisor) in Te Puna Manaaki, Te Toki Pakohe. Te Puna Manaaki is a dedicated learner support service available to all Māori learners delivered by a community of Māori support staff. Her study used surveys and interviews to explore barriers to accessing support, gaps between available services and how they are used, and how ākonga discover and engage with support. Using a mixed-methods approach, her research compares quantitative data with lived experiences to better understand where support systems are working well and where improvements are needed.  

Sue uses this research to improve student support by identifying practical ways to strengthen engagement with services. Her work contributes to the development of a framework for best practice, based on the combined insights of ākonga and kaiako. This framework has the potential to guide not only NMIT but also other tertiary providers in creating more effective, accessible, and culturally responsive support systems for students. 

The strategic direction of NMIT commits to ensuring equitable access and outcomes for all learners – particularly under-served Māori, Pasifika, and disabled learners by prioritising them at the centre of everything they do, working towards equity for them, and responding to their needs and improving outcomes. We, therefore, need to understand our ākonga Māori and ‘unpack’ what support looks like for them and establish the motivating/success factors for them to complete tertiary study.