The Māori workforce holds significant untapped potential, particularly with demographic trends showing a growing and younger Māori population. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed, including awareness gaps, lack of workplace diversity, and skill shortages.
Addressing these challenges will mean concerted efforts to support Māori youth in education and foster a strong work ethic within communities. While government initiatives focus on foundational skills, industries must also understand and cater to the needs of the evolving Māori workforce.
As the demographics of the labour force evolve, Hanga-Aro-Rau is committed to advocating for industries to adapt and prepare for this shift, ensuring readiness to harness the opportunities presented by a burgeoning Māori workforce. This workforce is projected to grow by almost 54,000 by 2028 and more than 100,000 by 2033.
Hanga-Aro-Rau is spearheading the Mahere Whanake Māori/ Māori Workforce Development Plan to increase productivity, leading to prosperity in our sectors. We are guided by:
Our goal: He pūkenga tāngata, he pikinga taumata hei oranga mahi – More Māori with higher skills, in higher paid jobs and improved employment opportunities.
Our approach: Collaborate to create the conditions for impactful change.
Our whakataukī / proverb: Mā tāu rourou, mā tāku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi – From your food basket and from my food basket, the people will be sustained. This encapsulates our approach, highlighting the collective effort required for the well-being of the community.
You can read our Mahere Whanake Māori Plan here!
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.
Explore kaupapa driving real change for Māori in the manufacturing, engineering and logistics industries.
From industry events to collaborative projects, these initiatives reflect our commitment to ‘More Māori with higher skills, in higher paid jobs and improved employment opportunities.‘
Explore more kaupapa that are driving change across our industries:
Whanake Māori Kaupapa
Discover key insights and data highlighting Māori participation across the manufacturing, engineering, and logistics sectors.
Explore more detailed data and statistics on Māori in manufacturing, engineering and logistics here
The Whanake Māori tīma have a KPI of 240 engagements per year, made up of 3 Iwi/Hapū, 40 Pakihi Māori, 50 Kaimahi Māori, and 150 new contacts.
Check out our engagements for the period July 2024 – May 2025
Our Māori industry profiles share the real journeys of Māori across manufacturing, engineering and logistics. By highlighting their experiences, we aim to inspire others, promote visibility, and encourage more Māori to see themselves in these careers.
These stories showcase the skills, challenges and contributions of Māori in our sectors, helping to build understanding, strengthen workforce diversity, and support career development. The profiles also contribute to workforce planning by providing insights that support industry growth and opportunity.
Māori profiles
The Whanake Māori team has an over-arching responsibility to ensure Hanga-Aro-Rau gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports Māori Crown relations. The objective of the team is described in our goal for Māori Workforce Development:
He pūkenga tāngata, he pikinga taumata hei oranga mahi – More Māori with higher skills, in higher paid jobs and improved employment opportunities.
Please contact any of our team if you have any thoughts on how we can help improve outcomes for Māori industry and workers across the manufacturing, engineering and logistics sectors.
Check out the latest updates from the Whanake Māori team – including inspiring stories, Māori profiles, and the kaupapa we’re working on across the manufacturing, engineering, and logistics industries.
Read Whanake Māori news here
Stay informed about the latest updates and developments regarding the Ports qualification and standards review. Your involvement is crucial as we shape the future of our industry.
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