In late 2024, our Hanga-Aro-Rau Whanake Māori team and Pacific community organisation The Cause Collective partnered up to host a series of industry site tours for rangatahi (young people) and their kaiako (tutors). The tours were part of The Cause Collective’s Get Ready Work Ready programme, which equips Māori and Pacific rangatahi in Auckland with skills to advance their careers.
With a vision to see more Māori in high-skilled, well-paid jobs, Hanga-Aro-Rau Whanake Māori understands that collaboration is key to impactful change. Through their ongoing partnership, Hanga-Aro-Rau is supporting The Cause Collective to provide rangatahi with hands-on exposure to industries they may not have considered, empowering them to explore career paths in warehousing, logistics, engineering, and manufacturing. Before and after the tour, participants completed surveys, revealing shifts in their perceptions. Many expressed new interest in careers they hadn’t previously considered, and tutors highlighted the value of firsthand industry exposure. Several students even registered their interest in employment opportunities at TR Group one of the employer partners.
Each of the six tailored site tours engaged rangatahi through practical activities. These included tasks such as changing a tyre in the automotive industry, securing strops in commercial transport, or experiencing virtual reality welding in engineering. Such experiences help young people understand job realities while giving employers a direct connection to emerging talent. 
Employers responded enthusiastically to the project, eager to engage with local communities and showcase career opportunities. For rangatahi who meet job requirements, employment pathways are streamlined, helping them transition directly from the programme into real job roles.
Throughout this partnership, Hanga-Aro-Rau Whanake Māori has aligned skills training with industry needs by working with The Cause Collective on certifications in high demand, such as Site Safe and forklift licences. This approach ensures rangatahi are well-prepared for industry requirements, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
As warehousing, logistics, engineering, and manufacturing emerge as high-placement industries, this collaboration underscores the value of direct industry involvement in workforce readiness. The programs employer partners’ enthusiasm reflects a growing commitment to developing local talent and equipping rangatahi with the skills, resources, and knowledge to build meaningful careers.
By continuing this partnership, Hanga-Aro-Rau Whanake Māori and The Cause Collective are not only providing immediate employment opportunities but also shaping a diverse, skilled workforce ready to thrive. Each cohort strengthens the impact, empowering rangatahi to step confidently into I industries eager to welcome them.
We would like to gratefully acknowledge the following businesses who came on board with the 2024 cohort and welcomed our rangatahi to their sites:
