Abstract:

Previous research on the performance of civil engineering students over the years 2020 and 2021 at New Zealand's largest polytechnic, Unitec Institute of Technology, revealed that while students from some demographic groups such as international students performed well during Covid disruptions, domestic students of Māori and Pasifika (Pacific Island) descent performed relatively poorly in terms of rates of course completion and success.

Polytechnics in New Zealand typically deliver two types of engineering qualification these being the Dublin accord NZDE (New Zealand Diploma in Engineering), and the Sydney accord BEngTech (Bachelor of Engineering Technology).

While Māori and Pasifika students enrolled in the BEngTech were relatively unaffected during Covid disruptions, NZDE students of this demographic declined in course success from 53.1 percent in semester 2 of 2020 (face-to-face delivery) to 43.9 percent (online delivery and online assessment) in semester 2 of 2021. This drop starkly contrasts with the improved performance of non-Māori/Pasifika students who soared in course success for the same period from 50.3 to 66.4 percent.

Possible reasons for this significant disparity are explored in this article and recommendations on how to assist Māori and Pasifika students in adapting to online delivery and assessment technologies are proposed.

Keywords:

Māori students, Pasifika students, engineering, performance.