For the first time in its history, the University of Canterbury has more than 1000 Maori students enrolled this year.

The university's enrolment report shows the Maori student enrolments are up six per cent from last year.

Now, more than one on 12 students identify with the ethnic group - about the same as the national average.

Vice Chancellor Dr Rod Carr said they've been trying to attract more Maori students for a long time.

"We've given a small number of additional scholarships and we've taken a lot of effort to support the already enrolled students, and that of course feeds back into families and communities."

The 2017 enrolment report also showed the number of first year Pacific students has risen by 22 per cent this year to around 430 students in total.

Dr Carr said last year they worked with Linwood College, Aranui High School and Hornby High School, to help Pacific high school leavers make the move to UC.

"We've spend more time in bringing prospective Pasifika students onto the university campus so they might imagine themselves coming to university and working in this environment."