Ngā Putanga Kōrero

This research, commissioned by Hanga-Aro-Rau, highlights significant workforce challenges with implications for New Zealand’s economic growth strategy. The report covers six targeted sectors: manufacturing, engineering, logistics, automotive, mining and quarrying, and oil and gas extraction. It calls for modernised training pipelines, culturally responsive approaches, and strategies to retain and attract skilled workers. These insights are intended to help industry, the VET system and the labour market to better understand upcoming opportunities and challenges through to 2030.

We're committed to transforming vocational education to ensure it delivers the skills our industries and economy need—now and into the future. This advice for 2027 is targeted and focused on reviewing, validating, and updating the advice provided to the Tertiary Education Commission for 2026 investment, along with identifying gaps in the existing advice and providing new advice aligned with industry demand and engagement. Please note: This advice is pending formal approval and acceptance from TEC.

The team at Hanga-Aro-Rau are proud to share our Mahere Whakahaere Nekehanga | Operational Plan for July-December 2025. As we enter our final phase as a Workforce Development Council, our focus remains delivering on our commitment to advancing vocational education in Aotearoa New Zealand by strengthening industry connections and driving productivity gains. The plan also outlines six industry-prioritised initiatives that our stakeholders identified as essential, not only for addressing their needs now, but ensuring critical continuity and priority when the new industry-led vocational education and training system begins.

We are proud to share with you our 2024/25 Hanga-Aro-Rau Pūronga Ā-Tau Annual Report, which details our extensive work alongside Industry to transform and improve vocational education for manufacturing, engineering and logistics. Over the last year, during a dynamic time in the vocational education and training system, we have been leading and coordinating industry efforts both nationally and regionally to identify workforce needs and support the vocational education system and employers to meet those needs. We have supported this mahi with research, analysis, advocacy, workforce plan development, and a focus on a smooth transition to the new system so that our sectors remain competitive on a global scale.

We're proud to share this new collaborative report commissioned by Hanga-Aro-Rau alongside the Australasian Railway Association, focused on developing the skills needed to support a modern and sustainable rail sector. The report offers a comprehensive view of the current challenges and opportunities in rail workforce development. It highlights an urgent need for targeted training pathways, improved career visibility, and cross-sector collaboration to prepare for technological changes and major infrastructure investments, including Auckland Light Rail.

We're committed to transforming vocational education to ensure it delivers the skills our industries and economy need—now and into the future. One of the key ways we do this is by preparing annual investment advice for the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). This kete of recommendations is the product of thousands of hours of kōrero, collaboration, and co-design. It reflects the collective insight of those who walk alongside us on this haerenga to reshape vocational education in Aotearoa.

We are very proud to present our white paper focusing on the Māori Workforce and Māori Economy. Our vision is He puke 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 critical role is better served supported with robust evidence-based information to ensure a responsive and evolving system, anchored by what has been proven to work well, for the future of all New Zealanders.

We are very proud to present our white paper focusing on the Pacific Workforce. Our vision is to upskill Pacific Peoples into higher-skilled and higher-paying jobs to support a broader labour market to meet the changing needs of industry. 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 critical role is better served supported with robust evidence-based information to ensure a responsive and evolving system, anchored by what has been proven to work well, for the future of all New Zealanders.

We are very proud to present our white paper focusing on the unlocking the potential of our disabled workforce. Our vision is the realisation of disabled people’s potential, resulting in higher skilled and higher paid workforces that meet the changing needs of industry. 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 critical role is better served supported with robust evidence-based information to ensure a responsive and evolving system, anchored by what has been proven to work well, for the future of all New Zealanders.

We are proud to present Hanga-Aro-Rau’s new White Paper, “Strengthening the Vocational Education and Training System to Improve Workforce Transitions: Seven Strategies for Better Attraction, Alignment and Retention.” Aotearoa New Zealand is facing real challenges with talent shortages in key industries, and building a strong, future-ready workforce means growing a pool of skilled, work-ready young people. This legacy document brings together four years of learning with industry and education partners, offering practical ideas to support the shift to the new Industry Skills Boards. It also highlights the importance of continued Government support for workforce transition functions that connect education and employment—capabilities that have laid solid foundations worth building on.

Let’s Level Up: Unlock the power of inclusivity and discover the potential of the disabled workforce. This industry-first research, commissioned by Hanga-Aro-Rau (Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics WDC) and Waihanga Ara Rau (Construction and Infrastructure WDC), and led by All is for All, highlights the significant barriers disabled individuals face in the workforce. The research presents key insights into how these challenges can be addressed, revealing a potential talent pool of over 593,000 disabled workers that could benefit our industries. It also emphasises the economic advantages of inclusion, estimating a $1.45 billion boost if participation rates among disabled workers align with non-disabled peers.

We are proud to share with you the 2023-2024 Hanga-Aro-Rau Pūronga Ā-Tau Annual Report, which details our extensive work alongside Industry to transform and improve vocational education for manufacturing, engineering and logistics. Over the past 12 months, we have been leading and coordinating industry efforts both nationally and regionally to identify workforce needs and support the vocational education system and employers to meet those needs. We have supported this work with research, analysis, advocacy, workforce plan development and contributing to career services.

With great pride, Hanga-Aro-Rau is proud to present the Lumana'i o Tangata Moana Pacific Peoples Workforce Development Action Plan 2023-24. This plan focuses on advancing opportunities for Pacific Peoples in the manufacturing, engineering, and logistics industries. Through leadership, partnership, education, and workforce development, it aims to create more pathways for Pacific workers both now and in the future. By working closely with Pacific communities, we’re committed to fostering growth, representation, and success across these sectors.

This submission to the Government's proposals for redesigning Aotearoa New Zealand's vocational education and training system was submitted in September 2024. We believe this submission helps to reflect the needs of our industries and those we serve. It combines the feedback we have received from external stakeholders as a result of our engagement with the strategic thinking of our Council and the technical guidance provided by our experienced kaimahi.

Introducing the Hanga-Aro-Rau Operational Plan for 2024-2026—a strategic blueprint which outlines our commitment to enhancing industry collaboration, addressing critical skills gaps, and fostering economic growth across all regions. Guided by our Statement of Strategic Direction and bolstered by robust stakeholder feedback, this plan underscores our mission to empower learners and support industry resilience. Join us as we embark on a journey to build a more prosperous and inclusive future through innovative vocational training.

This paper reviews the roles of key national agencies, the status of disabled communities in New Zealand, and national and international research on the barriers and enablers of employment for Disabled People in workplaces within the above set of industries. This review is a tool for multiple audiences, including newcomers to the disability kaupapa. Kōrero includes: 'How employment enables disabled people in our society', 'How supporting disabled people in the workplace can increase revenue and productivity', and 'How getting more disabled people into the workforce can contribute billions to our economy".

It is our privilege to share with you the 2022-2023 Annual Report for Hanga-Aro-Rau, which details our extensive work with Industry to transform and improve vocational education for manufacturing, engineering and logistics. Over the past 12 months, we have been leading and coordinating industry efforts both nationally and regionally to identify workforce needs and support the vocational education system and employers to meet those needs. We have supported this work with research, analysis, advocacy, workforce plan development and contributing to career services.

An important piece of research about the logistics sector has found that the highly fragmented sector faces a number of challenges, including attracting and retaining workers. We commissioned this research to shine a light on the challenges and successes of an industry that underpins the growth of every sector of our economy.

We are thrilled to announce the release of our Operational Plan for 2023-24. This comprehensive document sets out crucial mahi that Hanga-Aro-Rau is committed to achieving over the next 12 months. Te-Whakamanutanga-Operational-Plan-2023-24 builds on two critical pillars that define the strategic vision and direction of Hanga-Aro-Rau. First, our Statement of Strategic Direction charts our course over the next five years. Second, the Letter of Expectation 2023-24 gifted to us by the rangatira on our governing Council, reinforcing our commitment to achieving transformational change in the vocational education system in Aotearoa for our industries.

We are immensely proud to be able to share with you He Mahere Moana, our Statement of Strategic Direction (SSD). This document forms the foundation of our mahi for the next five years (2023-28). In this document, we reflect on our journey ahead and draw on the inspiration of wayfinding which has manufacturing, engineering and logistics at the heart of it. With significant cultural guidance, we sought an opportunity to draw on traditional skills, stories and aspirations to influence how we, much like many other cultures before us, can seek out greater horizons and better opportunities. Haere mai! We welcome you to board our waka and travel with us on our haerenga (journey) towards a transformed vocational education system.

We’re driving transformational change in vocational education to deliver the skills our industries need. One of the ways we can do this is through the investment advice we prepare each year for the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). The recommendations in this kete we gift to the TEC are the result of thousands of hours of deep kōrero and collaboration with those who join us on our haerenga (journey) to transform vocational education in Aotearoa. Ngā mihi nui to all those who have generously shared their knowledge and expertise, including employers, industry associations, pakihi Māori (Māori business), iwi, hapū, Regional Skills Leadership Groups, unions, education providers and more.

This comprehensive review dives deep into our mahi and successes from our establishment on 04 October 2021 through to the end of our first financial year on 30 June 2022. Some of the highlights include how we are honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi in everything we do, the formation of our pivotal Industry Stakeholder Group (ISG), and how we are putting skills leadership into action. We also recap the key activities of each of our tīma – Corporate Services, Improvements and Operations, Industry Standards, Industry Transformation, and Māori Workforce Development. Our annual report concludes with a wrap-up of our strong financial position.

We are delighted to have commissioned this research with Deloitte on the current and future workforce development needs of New Zealand's manufacturing and engineering sectors, with a deep dive into how COVID-19 has impacted these industries. We now invite you to carefully consider the key findings and opportunities and how we can all apply them to address the unique needs of our manufacturing and engineering industries.

We’re here to drive transformational change in vocational education to deliver the skills our industries need. One of the ways we can do this is through the investment advice we are mandated to prepare each year for the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). It is with pleasure that we share our Advice for 2023 Investment to the Tertiary Education Commission. We make our recommendations based on our current understanding of industry expectations and regional needs.

It is with immense pride that Hanga-Aro-Rau Workforce Development Council presents our first Skills and Workforce Leadership Plan (SWLP) for the manufacturing, engineering and logistics industries. The SWLP forms part of the blueprint for our year ahead: the opportunities we see for the sectors we serve, ideas for what is needed to meet the national and regional skill requirements – both currently and for the future – and begins to develop a picture of how our industries have been impacted by challenges from within our borders and beyond.

Chief Executive Phil Alexander-Crawford and Deputy Chief Executive Samantha McNaughton welcome you to read our 2022/23 Operational Plan. Our goal for this plan is to help shape a sustainable, equitable, globally engaged and adaptive Aotearoa to enable greater social mobility and prosperity. It will also drive transformational change in our vocational education system to make it accessible and inclusive to all, with industry voice always at the centre of our work.

The approach we taking to make the Workforce Development Council operational is described in this Establishment Plan. This plan covers the “Establishment Phase” of our WDC, defined by the TEC as the period from 1 July 2021 until 30 June 2022.