Attraction and retention

Industry Initiatives: 

• Te Waharoa – Gateway to the trades: To increase the number of Māori apprentices in the sectors, a 10-week pre-employment initiative was developed in collaboration with Waikato-Tainui, providing rangatahi Māori with practical skills, cultural connection, and valuable work experience. 
• Māori STEM discovery tours: Developed by Miraka and local Māori Economic Development Trusts, these tours expose young Māori to career opportunities in STEM fields through a Māori perspective​.
• Industry and Marae partnerships: These partnerships aim to create collaborative workforce programs that combine industry needs with Māori cultural values. By connecting local employers with marae-based initiatives, the program helps to grow stronger relationships between Māori communities and key industries, enhancing recruitment and retention. 
• The Good employer matrix (GEM): An equity-focused tool that helps employers improve Māori and Pacific worker engagement by integrating cultural competency into workforce development. 

Regional Priorities: 

• Bay of Plenty & Canterbury (MBIE, 2023a, p.17; MBIE, 2023b, p21): Increase Māori participation in tertiary education and knowledge industries (science, engineering, creative fields), fostering skills like innovation and entrepreneurship to boost regional economic success. Engage Māori rangatahi not in employment or education and connect them with tailored support services, involving iwi, hapū, and urban Māori authorities in career guidance initiatives.
• Tāmaki Makaurau (MBIE, 2023c, p.28): “Expand the manufacturing sector by engaging Māori communities, whānau, hapū, and iwi through Tāmaki 10,000, encouraging their participation as both employees and employers.”
• Te Tai Tokerau (MBIE, 2023c, p.52): “Address underutilised labour capacity by providing meaningful learning and employment pathways for those not in the labour force or in lesser-skilled roles, to meet future job demands.”
• Waikato (MBIE, 2023e, p.26): “Complete a stocktake of existing and planned iwi/Māori-led workforce programmes”