He Toki apprentices part of Rangers Park celebration

MEDIA RELEASE
10 September 2013

He Toki apprentices part of Rangers Park celebration

Two apprentices who graduated through the He Toki ki te Rika programme were part of the Hawkins Construction team recognised for their work on the Rangers Park development at today’s ribbon cutting celebration.

Rt Hon Prime Minister John Key, unveiled the first ten houses in the Rangers Park development – a housing village, built to provide temporary accommodation for families having earthquake damaged houses repaired and rebuilt.

Part of the Hawkins team delivering the project were Amos Neate and Rueben Hohaia, two apprentices who originally joined the team through the He Toki ki te Rika programme.

He Toki is a Maori trades training initiative led by Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu in partnership with CPIT and Hawkins Construction. This unique collaborative model leverages the existing strengths, knowledge, experience and capabilities of partner organisations to up-skill M?ori for the Canterbury rebuild.

“It is great to see He Toki students make their way through the trade training programme, work experience and then embrace the opportunity to take-up an apprenticeship in the industry,” said Hawkins Construction Regional Manager, Steve Taw.

“Hawkins put their weight behind the He Toki Maori trades training initiative to help support the Canterbury rebuild.

“There is no better example of the programmes’ success than having apprentices working on a project that provides comfort and relief to displaced Cantabrians.

“The reality is, this is the first step on their career ladder. The He Toki trainees can become the next foremen, supervisors, site managers, project managers and industry leaders.

“They’ve got what it takes but just need the construction industry to get behind them and give them a chance.”

ENDS

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