Whakapiri Mahi Aims To Tackle Rotorua’s High Youth Unemployment

Rotorua’s young people are facing some of the toughest employment challenges in the country. A new local initiative is stepping up to help change that.

According to Infometrics, 6.3 percent of the Rotorua population was unemployed in the year to June 2025, which is 21 percent higher than the national average of 5.2 percent. For those aged 15 to 24 not in education, employment, or training it sits at 17.3 percent, a staggering 34 percent higher than the national rate of 12.9 percent.

To help turn those numbers around, Native Tech, powered by Digital Natives Academy, has launched Whakapiri Mahi, a programme designed to connect rangatahi with Rotorua employers through short shadow roles and structured internships. The goal is to give young people real-world experience while providing businesses with a simple way to invest in the region’s future workforce.

Co-founder Nikolasa Biasiny-Tule says the need is clear. “We have rangatahi who are keen, eager, and have excellent digital skills. They can build websites, coding, video creation and social media. Unfortunately, many lack access to real work environments. Whakapiri Mahi bridges that gap,” she says.

“We’re asking Rotorua businesses to partner with us, not just as hosts, but as mentors for our next generation.”

Biasiny-Tule says the programme also addresses a common challenge many young people face when entering the workforce.

“So many of our youth are caught in a catch-22. No one will give them a chance because they don’t have experience, but they can’t get experience until someone gives them a chance. Whakapiri Mahi is that chance. It gives rangatahi a real experience, a reference for their CV, and the confidence to move into future employment.”

Through Whakapiri Mahi, employers can offer either a short shadow role, lasting two to five days, or a longer internship of several weeks or months. Shadow roles allow rangatahi to observe professionals, ask questions, and explore career options. Internships give them the chance to contribute to real projects while developing skills and confidence. Placements longer than one month are paid at least the New Zealand minimum wage.

Each placement is supported by the Digital Natives Academy team, which handles matching, paperwork, and pastoral care to ensure a positive experience for both the rangatahi and the employer.

“It’s designed to be simple and low-risk for businesses but potentially life-changing for young people,” says Biasiny-Tule.

“We’ve seen how just one positive workplace experience can set a rangatahi on a completely new path.”

Employers can register online through the Native Tech website, outlining the type of role, desired skills, and preferred dates. The Academy then matches them with a suitable rangatahi.

“Our goal is to create twenty placements between November 2025 and February 2026,” says Biasiny-Tule.

“If we can help even a handful of these young people find direction and confidence, the impact will ripple through whānau, schools, and workplaces.”

Whakapiri Mahi reflects a simple belief, that every young person deserves the chance to be seen, guided, and given a fair start.

“Rotorua businesses have always been generous and community-minded,” says Biasiny-Tule. “We’re confident they’ll see the value in giving these young people a chance to shine.”

For more information or to register as a participating employer, visit www.nativetech.ac.nz/whakapiri-mahi or email pathways@digitalnatives.academy.

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