Media Release
For immediate release
3 November 2011

Vodafone promotes Maori graduates

Vodafone announced today it will extend its existing graduate programme by allocating five places to Maori graduates. The company made the announcement at the Ka Tipu Te Pa Harakeke – Developing the Nation's Telecommunications Future hui, held by Ngā Pū Waea, the National Maori RBI Working Group. Vodafone is working with Ngā Pū Waea to ensure all New Zealanders benefit from the rural broadband initiative, including as many Maori communities as possible.

Michael Stanley, Director of Human Resources, says the targeting of the graduate programme shows Vodafone's commitment to reflecting the communities it serves, and offers Maori graduates the opportunity for joining a dynamic industry about to enter into a phase of significant infrastructure expansion in urban and rural areas.

"We are committed to ensuring that we are well connected to the local community of which we are part. We will be working to ensure the proportion of Maori staff at Vodafone is at least in proportion to the ratio of the population as a whole, and this enhancement of our graduate programme is an important step to making that a reality.

"In addition, we will also actively seek out and fast-track Maori leaders in our business, as we value Maori input as part and parcel of living and working in New Zealand. "

Vodafone's graduate programme currently takes between 10 and 15 graduates into all areas of its business, and is a highly sought after programme. While Vodafone has always focused on ethnic and gender diversity, the expansion of the scheme will significantly build on the existing six percent of Vodafone's workforce that identifies as Maori.

"By dedicating places in our programme to outstanding Maori graduates and promoting Maori in our business, we're helping develop the leaders of tomorrow. This is another step towards matching the diversity of our own business with the diversity of the New Zealand population as a whole."

Vodafone is a large employer, employing more than 1,800 people directly, and more than 2,500 if partners working on Vodafone projects are included.

"We are always looking to hire the best and brightest from the market, and already take between 10 and 15 outstanding graduates every year. This change to our graduate programme enhances our existing diversity hiring focus and ensures we can engage meaningfully with an important section of our customer base," concludes Michael.

ENDS

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