A new initiative to address the growing shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing, engineering, and logistics, as well as food and fibre, came to Hawke’s Bay this week. 

Research shows that the rapid population growth and younger demographic of Pacific workers will play a crucial role in addressing future shortages in an ageing workforce.  

Lumana’i o Tangata Moana, Pacific Peoples Workforce Development Action Plan from Hanga-Aro-Rau, is set to address a growing shortage of thousands of skilled workers needed in the manufacturing, engineering and logistics (MEL) industries, by engaging an underutilised Pacific workforce. 

The action plan was launched at Parliament at the end of September, the Hawke’s Bay was the next stop for the workforce development council, holding a talanoa (discussion) at EIT.  

The event included representatives from the Pacific community, employers, and MP for Tukituki, Catherine Wedd, and the Chief Executive of Muka Tangata, the food and fibre workforce development council. It was an opportunity to learn more about the unique experiences of Pacific workers, the impact of training and development, and the benefits of supportive workplace environments.

The Chair of the Hanga-Aro-Rau Industry Stakeholder Group is Ngahiwi Tomoana, a Hawkes Bay local who served the Board of Ngāti Kahungunu for 26 years, was also in attendance. A driving force behind getting the talanoa to the Bay, Ngahiwi said that the event showed that there are many Pacific leaders of industry throughout the region and that “when connected, can create a powerful influence on the industry sectors they engage in.”  Looking to the future, Ngahiwi said it would be up to education providers and industries to build up the Pacific workforce. Industries that need these workers to ensure their growth and productivity will need to provide their own initiatives and innovations around the Pacific workforce.  

David Toko from the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce said it was a great event for bringing together industry, training providers, and community leaders who are prepared to engage in actionable strategies as we advance that will support cultural awareness first and foremost and continue from there.  

“It has been good to see a focus on Pacific people, there is a thriving Pacific business community in Hawkes Bay, and we need to support them through innovation, embracing where we come from and as voyagers what our next destination looks like”, he concluded. 

Hanga-Aro-Rau Chief Executive Phil Alexander-Crawford stresses the importance of collaboration between Pacific communities, industry, and education providers to attract and retain a greater Pacific workforce. “The action plan we are launching is designed to create a new model for bringing these groups together in a cohesive way.  

“For the first time, we will see a programme that has been co-designed with Pacific community groups with the specific purpose of creating a highly skilled Pacific workforce that is represented at all levels of the manufacturing, engineering and logistics industries in Aotearoa,” he said. 

This event was the first in a series of regional conversations, as we look to the future of industry in Hawke’s Bay and beyond.