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Building on strengths: Educational pathways that benefit Maori students

Author

Listed:
  • Isabelle Sin

    (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research)

  • Shannon Minehan

    (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research)

Abstract

This paper is an economic analysis of pathways through education leading to strong outcomes for Maori students, and how these differ by gender and for students with different interests and aptitudes 'specialties' in high school. The authors focus on labour market outcomes and also consider some non-labour market outcomes. This paper will help inform policy development and career advice to both school-aged Maori students and older Maori people considering returning to education. Key findings in the research: - Level 2 NCEA certificate subjects do not define careers. - Women gain more education, but men save more money. - Bachelor's degrees benefit women more than men. - Vocational training yields strong outcomes for men and sometimes for women. - Some popular fields of tertiary study for Maori yield little financial benefit. - Not all STEM study leads to strong job prospects, but higher study in some fields is financially beneficial. - Connection to Maori culture is valuable. - Educational pathways to desirable outcomes for Maori may change in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabelle Sin & Shannon Minehan, 2024. "Building on strengths: Educational pathways that benefit Maori students," Motu Working Papers 23_01, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:mtu:wpaper:23_01
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    File URL: https://motu-www.motu.org.nz/wpapers/23_01.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Isabelle Sin & Kabir Dasgupta & Gail Pacheco, 2018. "Parenthood and labour market outcomes," Motu Working Papers 18_08, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research.
    2. Indunil De Silva, 2009. "Ethnicity and sheepskin effects in the returns to education in Sri Lanka," International Journal of Development Issues, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 8(1), pages 61-79, June.
    3. Nopo, Hugo R. & Saavedra, Jaime & Torero, Maximo, 2004. "Ethnicity and Earnings in Urban Peru," IZA Discussion Papers 980, IZA Network @ LISER.
    4. Christopher Tamborini & ChangHwan Kim & Arthur Sakamoto, 2015. "Education and Lifetime Earnings in the United States," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(4), pages 1383-1407, August.
    5. Maria Arrazola & Jose de Hevia, 2006. "Gender Differentials in Returns to Education in Spain," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(4), pages 469-486.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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