Hanga-Aro-Rau Workforce Development Council is thrilled to announce Maea Pivac has been appointed to its governing Council.

Ms Pivac, of Nga Puhi, Ngati Whatua, Ngati Wai, and Ngati Hine descent, has had a long and successful career in the vocational education space, so far spanning more than 25 years. She said she is excited to join the organisation, particularly with their mandate to give a stronger voice to Māori and industry.

“I’m looking forward to helping guide Hanga-Aro-Rau’s future direction. I am passionate about ensuring the industry voice is heard as it is through the meaningful, authentic connection between industry and Māori, in particular, that will enable Māori to “puawaitia” to bloom/blossom in their workspace.”

Based in her hometown of Whangarei, Ms Pivac has worked across all aspects of vocational education, including time with a private training establishment, an industry training organisation and institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITP). She has also worked “on the other side of the fence” for the private sector in human resources roles, supporting people development and work-based training for a large national company with major contracts. Currently, she is the Managing Director of Tai Tokerau Trades Training, an educational consultancy specialising in vocational education and industry capability development in Northland.

“From a vocational education and people-centred background, I see the potential of developing workforces and recognising emerging workforces. Companies that are proactive in their people development needs and which are passionate about building their people through good industry training and initiatives (like leadership programmes, cadetships etc.) will be better able to meet future challenges.”

Hanga-Aro-Rau Council Co-chair Dr Troy Coyle said Ms Pivac’s appointment will help drive the transformation the Workforce Development Council is tasked with.

“We are very excited to welcome Maea to the Board. She comes with a plethora of experience in vocational education roles, both here and in Australia. However, it was her passion for vocational education that most distinguished her. We recruit for experience and mindset; we think she will bring a strong commitment and passion to transformation as well as practical expertise in doing so. This is what Hanga Aro Rau is all about,” Dr Coyle said.