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Whanake Māori Kaupapa

At Hanga-Aro-Rau, our Whanake Māori tīma is driven by our goal: He pūkenga tāngata, he pikinga taumata hei oranga mahi. The four key focus areas in our Mahere Whanake Māori help bring this goal to life by focusing our efforts where they matter most;

  • awareness and perception (of industry),
  • attraction and retention,
  • inclusive workplaces,
  • and qualifications and training

We work alongside iwi, hapū, Pakihi Māori, Kaimahi Māori, employers, providers, and government agencies to strengthen pathways and create long term impact.

Each year, we deliver impactful projects in partnership with industry and host dedicated Māori workforce events across the motu. These projects and events help us showcase best practice, build strong relationships, and drive collective action.

Explore the kaupapa below to see how we are supporting Māori to thrive across our sectors.

Awareness and perception &

Attraction and retention

Whanake Māori Industry events

Whanake Māori Industry events bring together Māori leaders, employers, iwi, providers, and government to strengthen Māori workforce development in the manufacturing, engineering, and logistics sectors. These events focus on breaking down barriers, building partnerships, and sharing insights to inform our Māori Workforce Development Plan. At their core, they are about creating real pathways into higher-skilled, higher-paid jobs for Māori and supporting a stronger, more inclusive economy.
Learn more about our Whanake Māori Industry events

The Cause Collective partnership

In partnership with The Cause Collective, Hanga-Aro-Rau Whanake Māori tīma delivered a series of industry site tours across Auckland in 2024 as part of the 'Get Ready Work Ready' programme. The tours gave Māori and Pacific rangatahi hands-on exposure to careers in logistics, engineering, manufacturing, and warehousing. This partnership connects emerging talent with real employers, aligns training with industry needs, and supports rangatahi to step confidently into high-skilled, high-paid job pathways.
Read more here

The Good Employer Matrix

In partnership with Auckland Council, Hanga-Aro-Rau led a national roadshow to introduce the Uptempo Good Employer Matrix (GEM), a practical, evidence-based tool supporting the progression of Māori and Pacific peoples into higher-paid, resilient roles. Through workshops in seven regions, 45 stakeholders across industry, iwi, and government explored how GEM can drive equitable outcomes and shape inclusive workforce strategies in the manufacturing, engineering and logistics sectors.
Read more here

Inspiring the futures event: Christchurch

Hanga-Aro-Rau partnered with MSD’s Canterbury Connected Service to deliver the Inspiring the Future event in Ōtautahi, connecting rangatahi with Māori industry professionals across sectors like boat building, freight, warehousing, and design. For the first time, role models offered follow-up site visits, including a behind-the-scenes tour of Air NZ Cargo, giving rangatahi real-world insights into potential career pathways. Our Māori Workforce Development Lead Morgan Toki helped shape the event and extended activities, ensuring young people were inspired and connected to tangible opportunities. One rangatahi summed it up best, “Today was excellent. We got to talk and share with people based on their career.”
Read more here

Te Waharoa: Gateway to the trades launch

Hanga Aro Rau was proud to support the launch of Te Waharoa, Gateway to Trades, at the recent Waikato Tainui employers’ breakfast in Tāmaki Makaurau. This iwi and industry co-designed initiative blends cultural values with practical employment solutions to prepare rangatahi for the world of work. Hanga-Aro-Rau helped facilitate the attendance of 26 industry representatives, demonstrating our strong connections and commitment to meaningful partnerships. We look forward to continuing this mahi with Waikato Tainui, Whatukura Ltd and MSD to gather workforce insights and support the ongoing success of Te Waharoa in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Learn more here

Inclusive workplaces

Hanga-Aro-Rau white papers

Hanga-Aro-Rau is proud to present our white paper focusing on the Māori Workforce and Māori Economy. Our goal is He pūkenga tāngata, he pikinga taumata hei oranga mahi – more Māori with higher skills in higher paid jobs and improved employment opportunities. The purpose of this white paper is to reinforce this vision, providing actionable guidance to those ultimately responsible for the redesign of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system including a transition to Industry Skills Boards (ISBs). This important and complex mahi, is best supported by robust, evidence-based information to ensure a responsive and evolving system, one that is anchored in what works well and designed to serve the future of all New Zealanders.
Read more here

A-Team event

The first-ever A-TEAM networking event brought together women and allies from the marine, maritime, engineering, and composites industries for a morning of kōrero, connection, and inspiration. Held alongside the Auckland Boat Show, the event featured a panel, brunch, and an interactive workshop exploring how to better support women across these sectors. Our Māori Workforce Development Lead, Morgan Toki, helped co-organise the event alongside MAST Academy NZ, NZ Marine, and Ovlov Marine.
For a full recap, check out what our Māori NIAG Co-chair Paris Mitchell had to say on Instagram.

Qualifications and training

Invite iwi/hapū, and/or Māori industry, to participate in qualification review, product development, and endorsement

Māori stakeholders have actively contributed to recent qualification reviews across several industries. Their involvement ensures that Māori perspectives and priorities are embedded in qualification development, supporting both workforce and industry needs.
Keen to contribute to qualification development? Click here.

Māori insights and recommendations are submitted to Hanga-Aro-Rau TEC advice

Based on insights gathered from industry over the past year, we have provided recommendations to inform TEC advice with the aim of giving effect to and having regard for improving outcomes for Māori. These insights highlighted the critical need to support employers in enhancing cultural competency and providing robust pastoral care. Additionally, barriers to funding were identified as significant constraints, limiting employees' ability to pursue further training and achieve career progression.
Find out how we contribute to TEC investment decisions – click here.