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Ka Hao te Rangatahi

Building Pathways for Māori Futures

“Ka pū te ruha – ka hao te rangatahi. When the old net is cast aside, the new net goes fishing.”

Ka Hao te Rangatahi is a national toolkit designed to uplift rangatahi Māori, strengthen industry futures, and support Aotearoa New Zealand in building a workforce shaped by identity, innovation and cultural intelligence.

This resource reflects four years of mahi led by Te Tīma Whanake Māori, in partnership with iwi, hapū, Māori employers, and community voices. It captures proven approaches, successful rangatahi pathways, and system-level strategies to ensure Māori can thrive as Māori in every part of our workforce ecosystem.

Download the toolkit here

What this toolkit offers

This guide supports all parts of the vocational system — employers, educators, government agencies, communities, and rangatahi — with practical tools grounded in mātauranga, equity, and Māori aspirations.
It brings together:

  • Culturally grounded induction and workplace practices
  • Career pathway design that reflects whakapapa and rangatahi identity
  • Māori-led training models and iwi–industry partnership examples
  • Strategies for equitable representation and Māori success in the future workforce

Why this matters

Rangatahi Māori now represent over a quarter of Aotearoa’s emerging labour force — the new net shaping our future economy.
Their leadership, creativity and innovation form the foundation of the next generation of engineers, tradespeople, designers, technologists, and sector leaders.

By creating culturally safe pathways — not simply jobs — we invest in:

  • whānau and iwi prosperity
  • a thriving Māori economy
  • industry capability grounded in tikanga and identity
  • a future workforce defined by belonging, purpose and leadership

This is not a static document. It is an evolving resource built from kōrero shared on marae, in workplaces, and across communities — carrying the voices, aspirations and lived experiences of Māori who guided its development.

Ka Hao te Rangatahi ensures that the next generation step forward supported, connected, and confident in who they are — and in the future they will lead.

The videos featured in this toolkit capture a range of voices across Māori industry, training providers, and employers, each offering practical insight into how culturally grounded support, belonging, and identity-led pathways shape successful futures for rangatahi Māori. Together, they illustrate how connection, mentorship, and values-based practice create workplaces and learning environments where young people can step forward with confidence, purpose and pride.

Watch below to hear these insights first-hand and see how Māori-led pathways are transforming futures.