A project looking at successful Maori secondary students could lead to changes in what schools do.
Lead researcher Melinda Webber, from Auckland University's education faculty, says a pilot of Te Ara a Ihenga in Rotorua schools has identified five attributes that contribute to success.
These are: good role models and relationships, valuing education, having a supportive environment, self motivation, and strong links with te ao Maori.
Ms Webber told Waatea News a larger study will be done this year at all eight secondary schools and wharekura in the Rotorua area, with the results shared with the community.
"Our hapu are really interested in being involved." she says. "We've lots of marae committees that we can go to and offer our services ... let us run something on parenting or on strategies that might help these whanau."
Te Ara a Ihenga is supported by the Ngati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board.
