Massey again has highest on-campus course pass rates of all NZ universities

In addition, Massey students across the board are benefiting significantly from the way we teach and supports students, which is further enhanced through our Pūrehuroatanga initiative. This is reflected by more students passing their courses and completing their qualifications.

The latest results published on 4 July by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) show that at Massey University in 2024 on-campus students had a successful course pass rate of 92.8 per cent, an increase of 0.5 per cent from 2023. This is the highest pass rate in Aotearoa New Zealand. Further:

• On-campus TEC-funded domestic students had a successful course pass rate of 92.2 per cent, an increase of 1.0 per cent from 2023. Again, this is the highest in the country.
• Pacific TEC-funded on-campus students had a course pass rate of 82.9 per cent, improving by 3.3 per cent compared to 2023 – once more, the highest in New Zealand.
• Māori TEC-funded on-campus students had a course pass rate of 88.1 per cent, similar to the 2023 rate and the second highest pass rate in New Zealand.
• Known disabled and neurodiverse TEC-funded on-campus students had a course pass rate of 88.3 per cent, improving by 1.6 per cent from 2023.
• Non-Māori, non-Pacific on-campus TEC-funded students had a course pass rate of 93.2 per cent, up by 1.2 per cent compared to 2023 – the highest rate nationally.

Massey’s strategic initiative Pūrehuroatanga, focusing institution-wide efforts on student success and launched in 2021, is helping drive these improved success outcomes, particularly among Māori, Pacific, disabled and neurodiverse students.

Pūrehuroatanga is aimed at removing institutional barriers to success. It offers targeted, proactive and data-informed support to students when and where they need it. The initiative aligns with and is informed by Paerangi, Massey’s Learning and Teaching Plan, and reflects the university’s commitment to addressing historical, educational and systemic inequities.

The initiative comprises several key projects, including:

• Te Kawa Angitū – Ākonga Māori learner success
• Pacific learner success
• tangata whaikaha (disabled and neurodiverse students)
• curriculum and pedagogy
• skills and readiness
• systems and processes
• proactive support and data.

Since its introduction, Pūrehuroatanga has led to measurable improvements across the university. Across all student groups, course and qualification passes have risen, with Māori and Pacific students showing some of the most significant gains. Provost and Co-chair of the Pūrehuroatanga Steering Group, Professor Giselle Byrnes, attributes this progress to collective effort and shared ambition.

“We are making great strides in improving outcomes for students, which is a testament to all those involved. We are ambitious for our students and are keen to see these numbers increase and outcomes improve further for our students, in keeping with our commitment to access, equity and excellence.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and Global Engagement Dr Tere McGonagle-Daly, also Co-chair of the Pūrehuroatanga Steering Group, highlights the scale of improvement.

“These gains are more than just numbers, as they reflect the real and lasting impact of Pūrehuroatanga to close the systemic parity gap. To see Māori and Pacific student pass rates rise by over five and eight per cent respectively, along with all other students, is incredibly encouraging. It shows that when we centre equity and take coordinated action, we create a university where more of our learners can thrive.”

Dr McGonagle-Daly adds that Pūrehuroatanga is just one part of a broader, ongoing strategy.

“We’re embedding equity into how we operate, from curriculum and student support to systems and environments. The momentum is encouraging, and we’ll keep working to ensure all learners can access the support they need to succeed.”

The tables below highlight the increase in course and qualification pass rates for Massey students between 2021 and 2024:

Table showing improvements in student pass rates at Massey since the launch of Pūrehuroatanga in 2021

Table showing improvements in qualification pass rates at Massey since the launch of Pūrehuroatanga in 2021

Recent initiatives driving success

Massey has introduced a range of initiatives contributing to these positive outcomes:

• High impact practices: Reflecting transition pedagogies and provide strategies for supporting priority learners and building scaffolded learning. High impact practices ensure authentic opportunities for students to evidence their learning while balancing their life- and course-loads and enable them to see the personal relevance of their learning.
• Curriculum transformation: Supporting colleges in the introduction of programmatic approaches to curriculum design, incorporating evidence-based and sustainable approaches to course and assessment design.
• Te Kawa Angitū – Māori Student Success: Offers culturally responsive Māori support (pastoral, cultural and academic) to enhance belonging and success which are proven to enhance learning outcomes for ākonga Māori. Our Māori support includes programmes that utilise tuakana/teina mentoring across undergraduate core courses and at the postgraduate level. They offer opportunities for relationship-building, kindness and generosity through kai ‘n’ kōrero and communal spaces on campus, building unity through events, academic support, as well as noho wānanga and extension opportunities via internships and awards.
• Readiness: A coordinated and equity-centred approach to skills development and preparation for study has been key to supporting ākonga readiness. The range of initiatives have included the delivery of UniReady learning modules with a particular focus on supporting the skills readiness of our ākonga with adult admission, alongside targeted enhancements to preparation for study and orientation experiences for distance and in person ākonga.
• An updated view of case management: Developed and implemented for use in the support of students, it offers a systemic and comprehensive view of a student's academic progress and current study load, to help ensure support needs are met, when and where a student needs it.
• Inclusive campus environments: Installing low-sensory spaces in libraries to support neurodiverse students and joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme to raise awareness and support for students with invisible disabilities.

Learn more about Pūrehuroatanga.

Technical note:
The TEC reports data on a range of educational performance indicators for each university. These indicators include successful course competition, first-year retention, student progression and cohort-based qualification passes. The latest data was released on Friday 4 July 2025 via TEC's Ngā Kete portal and is based on results as of 11 April 2025.