Te Reo employment application form likely to be a first for local and central Government

Horowhenua District Council's new employment application form in Te Reo Maori may just be a first for local government in New Zealand.

Human Resources Manager Meredith Blackler says she is not aware of any other council, or even central Government department, that offers candidates the option of an English or Te Reo Maori job application form.

Mrs Blackler says the initiative is designed to attract qualified Maori job applicants, as well as encourage diversity and cultural respect.

"We want to attract talented employees and have a diverse workforce that enables us to react and strategically plan in innovative ways outside the traditional local government box."

Mrs Blackler says having the employment application form fully translated in Te Reo Maori is a positive step and that the Council hoped to broaden its bilingual offerings to other official documents.

"We’re only a small Council and do not have the resources to translate entire annual plans or long term plans, but in such large documents we can at least look at translating the key messages.

"After all, Te Reo Maori is one of three official languages in New Zealand and we should be doing our best to acknowledge that."

Mrs Blackler says the Council already offers "whanau interviews" to job candidates and in the future it hoped to provide all staff with opportunities to learn Te Reo Maori, in addition to cultural awareness training.

ENDS

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