Pasifika students continue to fail academically at high school at a disproportionate rate compared to their European/Pākehā and Asian counterparts. The purpose of this research is to evaluate an after school programme that claims to adopt a holistic approach to teaching and learning which may help to arrest that rate of underachievement. The research will help to determine what benefit, if any, the after school programme will have on the Pasifika participants.

The programme is designed to assist the development of members of one of the elite sporting teams of a high school. One of the programme’s primary objectives includes enhancing improvements to academic performance thereby contributing to retention. Finally the programme hopes the participants successfully complete the NCEA level they enrolled in at the beginning of the year.

The programme also delivers practical life-skills workshops aimed at preparing the participants for when they leave school. Areas of improvement for the participants include enhancing positive self-esteem, confidence building, identity awareness and goal setting. The programme is one of a few run by a community non-profit Trust. The Trust asserts this programme allows their learners to become exposed to areas of youth development in a relaxed, comfortable setting whilst gaining confidence and acquiring tools for success in a Pasifika-friendly environment.