SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities

Applications and admissions of underrepresented groups

Lincoln University’s values-led Manaaki Tauira: Learner Success Framework is designed to enhance student success, participation, and retention—particularly for underrepresented groups such as Māori and Pasifika students. This framework reflects the University’s commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive. 

To measure the impact of Manaaki Tauira initiatives, the University tracks participation metrics, with a focus on increasing engagement and achievement among Māori, Pasifika and disabled students. Through this programme, students receive targeted support, including academic assistance, scholarships, wellbeing services, and opportunities for cultural engagement. 

Each year, Lincoln University publishes Educational Performance Indicators in its statutory annual report. These indicators provide detailed insights into the outcomes of Māori and Pasifika students compared to their non-Māori and non-Pasifika peers. Key metrics include: 

• Proportion of total funded eligible EFTS (Equivalent Full-Time Students) 
• Māori course enrolments 
• Student retention rates 
• Scholarship recipients 
• Course and qualification completion rates. 

At the point of enrolment, students who disclose a disability or learning difficulty are supported by the Inclusive Education team. Guided by the University’s Disability Action Plan, the team provides tailored support for students with disabilities, chronic illnesses, injuries, or neurodiverse conditions. This support is personalised to each student’s needs and learning context, ensuring an inclusive and accessible educational experience. 

See Lincoln University 2024 Annual Report pages 28-32

Recruiting students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented groups

At Lincoln University, Māori and Pasifika students are supported throughout their academic journey by Te Manutaki – the Office of Māori and Pasifika Development. From the initial stages of engagement through to graduation, Te Manutaki provides tailored support and resources to ensure students thrive. 

As part of its outreach efforts, the Te Manutaki team actively engages with high school students and prospective learners, showcasing the relevance and value of Lincoln’s programmes for Māori and Pasifika communities. This early engagement helps build strong connections and encourages participation in tertiary education. 

Support continues well beyond enrolment. The Te Manu Tāiko programme, led by Te Manutaki, offers a holistic approach that combines academic monitoring with wellbeing support. This ensures that both data and personal context guide each student’s academic journey from the outset. The programme is personalised to meet individual needs, ensuring timely access to the right services and resources. 

Lincoln University also offers a range of scholarship opportunities to support students from underrepresented groups, including Māori, Pasifika, ethnic minorities and women. One such opportunity is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, which enables students from developing countries to pursue postgraduate study at Lincoln University. These students gain valuable knowledge and skills through their academic journey and then return home to contribute to the social and economic development of their home countries. 

In addition, academic staff can benefit from initiatives such as the Ross Fellowship, a postdoctoral programme that brings scholars to Lincoln University to collaborate with faculty, deliver lectures and conduct research on campus. 

The Whanake Ake programme is a university-wide initiative that places new Māori academics in all faculties, allowing them to work within their disciplinary expertise. This has significantly expanded the reach of mātauraka within our curriculum. For instance, Dr Crystal O’Connor, a Whanake Ake academic, now teaches a first-year course in mahika kai within the faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Similarly, Branding Aotearoa, a third-year marketing course led by Hiraina Tangiora, includes a critical study of Māori cultural elements in branding. Alongside Dr Jorie Knook, these academics are also leading research through the creation of a food forest on campus, as part of the Centre of Excellence for Transformative Agribusiness, dedicated to improving sustainability in the food and fibre sectors.

Anti-discrimination policies 

Lincoln University is committed to fostering a campus environment that is safe, inclusive, and equitable for all who study, work, or visit—regardless of culture, identity or background. 

This commitment is embedded in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which outlines how the University supports its diverse community and fosters an environment that reflects and respects all cultures and identities. The policy recognises that certain groups may face greater barriers and affirms the University’s dedication to supporting: 

• Māori and Pasifika students and staff 
• People with disabilities 
• LGBTIQ+ and takatāpui individuals 
• Neurodiverse individuals 
• International students 
• Adult learners, including distance and offshore students 
• Students and staff from refugee backgrounds 
• Individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds 
• Religious and faith-based communities 

The policy also commits the University to identifying and implementing best practices in equity, diversity, and inclusion. This includes aligning with the growing emphasis on Climate Change and Ecosystem Health within Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting frameworks. 

Recognising the unique status of Māori as tangata whenua under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Lincoln University addresses Māori aspirations through dedicated initiatives such as the Māori Plan, the Manaaki Tauira Learner Success Framework, and other targeted support mechanisms. For Pasifika students and staff, equity and inclusion efforts are guided by the Motu Plan, ensuring culturally responsive and effective support.

Lincoln University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy was created in 2023 and was reviewed in early 2025.  

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce

Lincoln University is deeply committed to equity and diversity, striving to create a safe, inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment—both physical and digital—where all students and staff are supported to reach their full potential.

This commitment is underpinned by robust equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategies, each with clear, measurable outcomes. 

All members of the University community are expected to actively support equitable access, participation, engagement and success for all, including Māori and individuals from diverse backgrounds. 

To lead and embed EDI initiatives across the institution, Lincoln University has established the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Taskforce. This group is responsible for promoting and upholding the EDI Policy and advancing the recruitment, development, and retention of a diverse and high-performing university community. 

The EDI Taskforce is chaired by the Executive Director, People, Culture and Wellbeing, and includes key representatives from across the University, such as: 

• The Provost 
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student Life 
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Māori 
• A student representative 
• A Human Resources nominee 
• Representatives from the Lincoln University Students’ Association (LUSA) and Te Awhioraki 

Support for underrepresented groups 

Lincoln University’s values-led Manaaki Tauira: Learner Success Framework is designed to enhance the success, participation, and retention of all students—particularly those from underrepresented groups, including Māori, Pasifika, and students with disabilities. The framework ensures equitable outcomes by providing tailored support that meets the diverse needs of the student community. 

Te Manutaki – the Office of Māori and Pasifika Development plays a central role in supporting Māori and Pasifika students throughout their academic journey. Through initiatives such as the Te Manu Tāiko programme, students receive personalised academic monitoring and wellbeing support. The programme is designed to respond to individual needs, ensuring timely access to services such as mentoring, study assistance, scholarships, and opportunities for cultural engagement. 

For students with disabilities, the Inclusive Education & Disability Support team provides customised support in line with the University’s Disability Action Plan. This includes assistance for students and staff with disabilities, chronic illnesses, injuries, or neurodiverse conditions. Support is tailored to each student’s learning context to ensure an inclusive and accessible educational experience. 

To foster a sense of belonging from the outset, Lincoln University offers dedicated orientation programmes at the beginning and midpoint of the academic year. These sessions are specifically designed for Māori, Pasifika, and international students. The International Student Orientation provides a welcoming environment where new students can connect with peers, meet International Student Advisors, and access key information and support services to help them settle into life at Lincoln and in New Zealand. 

Accessible facilities 

Lincoln University’s Disability Action Plan (DAP) is a cornerstone of the University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. The plan is designed to ensure that students with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of university life, including learning, research, cultural and social activities, on-campus accommodation, and extracurricular engagement. 

The DAP aims to improve equity for both disabled students and staff by promoting accessible teaching, learning, research, and working environments. Key areas of progress to date include: 

• Integration into Orientation Programmes: The Inclusive Education & Disability Support team is now a permanent part of both New Staff Orientation and Student Orientation, ensuring early awareness of available support services. 
• Accessible Course Design: Accessibility considerations have been embedded into course development processes, with updates made to relevant forms and guides to ensure inclusive learning experiences from the outset. 
• Neurodiverse-Friendly Spaces: A dedicated room for neurodiverse students has been established, featuring adjustable lighting, flexible seating, weighted blankets, and tactile resources to support sensory needs. 
• Inclusive Campus Planning: The Property Services Group has incorporated disability audits into all new construction and refurbishment projects. A comprehensive review of outdoor spaces—including pathways and lighting—was completed in 2024 to enhance campus accessibility. 

Disability support services 

Lincoln University’s Inclusive Education & Disability Support team provides tailored support services for disabled students, guided by the University’s Disability Action Plan (DAP). The DAP is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment that empowers students with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of university life—academic, cultural, social, residential and extracurricular. 

To ensure students receive the support they need, the team meets individually with each student to understand their unique circumstances and identify appropriate support mechanisms. Based on these conversations, a personalised support plan is developed and maintained throughout the student’s academic journey. 

Support is available to all domestic and international students—undergraduate and postgraduate—who identify as having a disability, impairment, chronic illness, injury, or neurodiversity. Assistance may include: 

• Special arrangements for tests and exams (e.g. extra time, rest breaks, separate rooms, reader/writer/typist support) 
• Help with field trips and other learning activities 
• Notetaking assistance 
• Access to assistive technologies. 

Disability access scheme

Lincoln University’s Disability Action Plan (DAP) is a cornerstone of the University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. The plan is designed to ensure that students with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of university life, including learning, research, cultural and social activities and on-campus accommodation. A part of this commitment is offering students targeted support. 

Established in support of the University’s Disability Action Plan (DAP), the Disability Reference Group (DRG) commits to ensuring that disabled voices are not only heard but also actively guide the development, delivery and review of support initiatives. The group includes staff and students with lived experience of disability, alongside those with professional expertise in disability support. 

During the year, DRG members provided input across a wide range of projects, including: 

• Advising on inclusive language and imagery in university communications 
• Shaping the neurodiversity sensory room  
• Supporting the refresh of the Inclusive Education website 
• Amplifying Global Accessibility Awareness Day 
• Contributing to the development of alternative assessment practices 
• Piloting and promoting an all-staff survey on accessibility 
• Exploring the Sunflower Programme for invisible disability support 
• Advocating for standardised fit-outs in teaching spaces 
• Helping define what it means to celebrate and value disabled students 
• Reframing digital accessibility into prioritised, workable plans 

Disability accommodation policy 

Lincoln University’s campus is home to around 600 students during the university year. There are several on-campus accommodation options available to undergraduate and postgraduate students, including the choice of catered Halls of Residence, self-catered flats or houses. Some of these accommodation options are suitable for students with disabilities, as outlined in the University’s Accommodation Guide.  

To support those living on campus, including students with disabilities, dedicated Residential Assistants reside on-site to help navigate university life and provide support to individuals with disabilities.  

Some of the accommodation options available to disabled students include Hudson Hall, Centennial Hall and Farm Road (single-storey units). By living on campus, students have easy access to Te Kete Ika - Dining Hall, Whare Hākinakina Gym and disabled carparking. Student Health is also located on campus, providing easy access to doctors, nurses, counselling and wellbeing support. There is also Inclusive Education (for individuals with an injury, illness or disability) and an international support advisor. If a student becomes unwell, support staff are available in the Halls of Residence to assist you in accessing emergency medical care and first aid. Meals can also be arranged to be taken to a sick person in their room.