Authors: Graeme Sterne and Eli Tagi
Abstract: New Zealand has one of the world’s leading per capita rates of entrepreneurship. It is predicted that by 2050, one in five people in the New Zealand workforce will be of Pacific Island descent. This study involved interviewing Pacific entrepreneurs, conducting focus groups with tertiary students and a literature review to answer the question: What part can tertiary institutions play in preparing students of Pacific Island descent for business entrepreneurship?
Although tertiary institutions cannot produce entrepreneurs, that being an individual choice, they can impart entrepreneurial skills and an entrepreneurial mindset. They can also play a vital role as cultural interpreters between Pacific students and the business world. Changes are needed in curriculum and delivery in order to be effective in educating Pacific students. Tertiary institutions need to follow the ABC formula: Affirming Pacific cultures, Building up Pacific students and Customising curriculum.
