Students learning Pacific languages in secondary schools in New Zealand

Pacific medium education is where a Pacific language is the medium of instruction for more than 3 hours a week (12% of typical classroom time). Pacific medium education is measured at four levels: Level 1: 81-100% of the time, Level 2: 51-80% of the time, Level 3: 31-50% of the time, and Level 4: 12-30% of the time.

Pacific language as a separate subject is where students are learning a Pacific language as a separate subject at the Primary level (Years 1-8) for a minimum of 15 hours a year or at secondary level (Years 9-15) for a minimum of 20 hours a year.

Level of Learning describes students being taught at different levels of Pacific instruction. Each level is defined by the proportion of time the student is taught using a Pacific Language.

Level 1: 81-100%: Pacific language is the medium of instruction for 81-100% of the time (20+ hours per week)
Level 2: 51-80%: Pacific language is the medium of instruction for 51-80% of the time (12.5 - 20 hours per week)
Level 3: 31-50%: Pacific language is the medium of instruction for 31-50% of the time (7.5 - 12.5 hours per week)
Level 4: 12-30%: Pacific language is the medium of instruction for 12-30% of the time (3 - 7.5 hours per week)
Level 5: As a separate subject - is where students are learning a Pacific language as a separate subject, at the Primary level (Years 1-8) for a minimum of 15 hours a year or at secondary level (Years 9-15) for a minimum of 20 hours a year.

Primary school data for ‘Pacific Language Level 5: As a separate subject’ is populated through a supplementary survey.
In 2020 there was an increased response rate of the supplementary survey which has resulted in an increased number of students at this level.

At URL provided, download the file 'Time Series Data: Pacific Language Learning 2000-2023'.

This dataset provides a snapshot of Pacific language in education in New Zealand Schools as at 1 July. It describes two levels of Pacific language learning: Pacific-medium education and Pacific language as a separate subject.