Mary Jane Kivalu (sitting on the floor at left) with the University of Otago delegation at Takuilau College in Lapaha, Tonga Photo: Dr Mele Taumoepeau
The head of a university students' asssociation called for changes in New Zealand's recruitment process so the skills of Pacific islanders are recognised when they seek employment.
Mary-Jane Kivalu, from the Otago University Pasifika Students' Association, is researching cultural intelligence to increase diversity in the workplace.
Ms Kivalu says during the recruitment process, Pacific islanders need to be more culturally intelligent and not under-sell themselves.
She says the islanders need to take the skills that they learn as Pacific people and transfer them into skills required in the workplace.
"There's a lot of things we do as a Pacific people like bringing people together for weddings or traditional ceremonies," she said.
"That's all part of project management and multitasking. To us that's like normal, but we don't actually know that that's actually a skill that we can take into the workplace."