NZ's Largest Industries to Participate in Skills Analysis

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT:
Federation of Maori Authorities, Maori Trustee, DairyNZ, Beet + Lamb NZ, Federated Farmers, NZ Maori Tourism, Tourism Industry Association, Seafood New Zealand, NZ Oil & Gas, BusinessNZ, the Primary Industry Training Organisation, National Urban Maori Authority

New Zealand’s Largest Industries to Participate in Skills Analysis

Representatives of New Zealand’s leading export industries have today announced their participation in a skills analysis designed to provide employment advice to iwi, urban Māori authorities and other Māori-led organisations to help them better assist young Māori into future employment opportunities.

The analysis is the private sector’s contribution to recommendations 5, 6 and 7 of the Māori Economic Development Panel’s Strategy and Action Plan which will also focus on increasing Māori in-work training and involvement in the labour market.

The group, which will be led by Te Ohu Kai Moana Chief Executive Peter Douglas, will meet for the first time next week to begin its work and includes:

• Federation of Māori Authorities (the Federation)
• Māori Trustee
• DairyNZ
• Beef + Lamb NZ
• Federated Farmers
• NZ Māori Tourism
• Tourism Industry Association
• Seafood New Zealand
• NZ Oil & Gas
• BusinessNZ
• The Primary Industry Training Organisation
• National Urban Māori Authority (NUMA)

Mr Douglas said the group’s ultimate aim was to increase Māori employment. It would initially undertake a skills analysis of what each industry will require in the future. Mr Douglas said he expected the first meeting to look at regional employment specialties and opportunities, essential skill requirements for management positions and raising potential in-work training roles.

“This has the potential to be a landmark initiative for our generation,” Mr Douglas said. This group includes representatives from our most successful industries and is responsible for more than $29 billion in exports annually. By conducting a universal analysis of the skills each industry will require in coming years, we’re going to develop a meaningful roadmap for Māori to build careers.”

Federation Chief Executive Te Horipo Karaitiana, who along with the Māori Trustee has already been working on future-proofing industry workforces, said the initiative would try to realise some of the unrealised potential amongst Māori.

“Our people have a diverse skillset that can be applied across a range of sectors. Having this quality of organisations involved means we can get a lot of Māori who are unsure about what sort of careers they want excited about the sort of opportunities that might lie ahead.”

BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly said mapping the skills required by key industries was an important foundation for future Māori employment success.

“Skills data is essential for informed choices around future employment. Information gathered in this skills analysis will enable young Māori to contribute in many areas of commercial activity. This will be a key initiative in the work of the Māori Economic Development Panel.”

Industry-good body DairyNZ Chief Executive Tim Mackle welcomed the opportunity to discuss future opportunities with Māori.

“This is the sort of thing we’ve been contemplating for some time given the strong relationships DairyNZ has been developing with some iwi. We’re confident we can work together to formulate how Māori can play an even bigger role in growing the success of the dairy industry.”

Tourism Industry Association Chief Executive Martin Snedden confirmed it was vital that Māori were involved in future discussions on ensuring New Zealand’s tourism ventures continued to embrace Māori culture and was looking forward to working closely with NZ Māori Tourism on the initiatives.

“Māori culture is one of the key drivers of New Zealand as a tourism destination and making sure that Iwi are aware of their important role in our industry, and particularly future opportunities to strengthen their involvement is vital to growing New Zealand’s tourism success.”

NZ Māori Tourism Chief Executive, Pania Tyson-Nathan, said they are currently working with the private sector and education providers to ensure that proper and meaningful career pathways are in place for those who have chosen tourism as a profession.

With an increased awareness of Māori tourism activity internationally coupled with increased investments by Māori SMEs and Iwi in tourism ventures, it is imperative we continue to grow the pool of future leaders especially now. This initiative is a timely opportunity and essential in paving the way there.

NZ Oil & Gas Chief Executive Andrew Knight said that the initiatives would help strengthen Māori presence in the natural resources sector.

“We recognise the special relationship of Māori with our natural resources. This initiative will help bring more Māori into the industry with expertise at every level. I want to see young Māori gaining world-class skills in geology and geoscience, and in operations and commercial leadership, because exploration provides our communities with unrealised opportunities. We are excited about helping to make that happen.”

Primary Industry Training Organisation Chief Executive Kevin Bryant said the organisation’s involvement in the initiatives were part of its drive to take a greater and more influential leadership role in skills development.

“Our aim is to develop people with transferable skills so that they can improve an industry’s profitability, productivity, and sustainability. We recognise the key role Māori will have in achieving these improvements, and this initiative gives us the perfect platform to offer assistance and training in order for them to do so.”

The National Urban Māori Authority (NUMA) is also committed to this initiative. Spokesman for NUMA, Mr John Tamihere said “anything that enhances the access of young Māori into employment participation has to be good, and something that we want to be invovled with.”

The group is scheduled to hold its first meeting next month and will work in association with representatives from Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

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