The student diversity in universities in Aotearoa (New Zealand) challenges these institutions to attain more equitable outcomes particularly for indigenous groups and ethnic minorities. In New Zealand, current Government policies favour strategies aimed at increasing the academic achievement of Maori and Pasifika communities and offer financial…

This article discusses how four direct observational principles have contributed to the development of assessment and tutoring strategies for individuals in English and Maori language reading tutoring programs. The assessment strategies generated from observations of reader and tutor interaction have provided strong support for learning to read in…