Key Findings

• Pacific learners performed at a wide range of proficiency levels in mathematics, reading and science. However, the proportion of ākonga performing below the baseline level of proficiency has increased over time.
• The 2022 mean mathematics, reading and science scores for Pacific learners has decreased since PISA 2018.
• Pacific learners have higher anxiety related to their mathematics results than anxiety related to actively doing mathematics problems.
• Most Pacific learners reported positive relationships with their teachers with 86% reporting that teachers at their school are respectful towards them.
• Most Pacific learners (60% or more) also reported that they receive teacher support in most or every mathematics lesson.
• Pacific learners have high education expectations and goals with over 4 in 10 expecting a degree or higher.
• Most Pacific learners feel safe at school and make friends easily and experience little to no bullying. However, sense of belonging declined since 2018 and feeling lonely, award or an outsider at school has increased.
• Pacific learners speak a variety of languages at home most of the time with the most common non-English language being Samoan (14%) and Tongan (6%).
• Higher mathematics achievement was most correlated with higher socio-economic background and curiosity.
• Higher sense of belonging at school was most correlated with feeling safe at school, being cooperative, infrequent bullying and higher life satisfaction.