While Pacific secondary school students still face major inequities, there's been a lot of positive change over the past two decades

A new report's found almost half experience housing deprivation and more than a third experience racism.

But, Auckland University Associate Professor of Public Health Colin Tukuitonga says the majority of respondents are having good experiences.

He says they're generally positive about school and with their families, and there's also been a decline in smoking and alcohol use.