Explore our industries

Welcome to our Workforce Development Plans

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  • $53.1 billion
    Food and Fibre Sector Export Revenue year to June 2022 (MPI)
  • 81.4%
    Food and Fibre Sector Contribution to National Export Trade in year to June 2022 (Stats NZ, MPI)
  • 10.7%
    Contribution to National GDP for year ending March 2021 (Stats NZ, MPI)
  • China
    Largest export market (35%) for all Food and Fibre Products for year to June 2022 (Stats NZ, MPI)
  • 13%
    of New Zealand’s Workforce was Employed in Food and Fibre Sector in year ending March 2020, (Stats NZ, MPI)
  • 16%
    of the Muka Tangata Industries Workforce were Māori in 2020 (Stats NZ IDI)
  • 25 – 34 year olds
    Largest Age Bracket within Muka Tangata Industries Workforce in 2020 (Stats NZ IDI)
  • ~4600
    Number of Māori-owned Businesses in the Muka Tangata Industries in 2020 (Stats NZ IDI)

Mihi Whakatau

Welcome

Muka Tangata is the voice of the food and fibre sector within the vocational education and training system. A key mechanism for amplifying that voice are clear workforce development plans (WDPs) for each of our 14 industries, which we use to guide our advice on food and fibre training funding to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), as well as drive the development of food and fibre qualifications, standards, and micro-credentials.

Learn more about Welcome

Highlights

All highlights
All opportunities

GDP Occupational Forecasting tool

This tool provides a user-friendly view of data-driven insights within the food and fibre sector. 

The bright spot in the New Zealand economy

The December 2024 update provides a forecast of the year to 30 June 2025.

ProfitabilitySustainability

New classification system for occupations provides better clarity for workers

The NOL more accurately represents Sports Turf, Irrigation and Nursery workers

Diversity and InclusionRegulatory Compliance

Enabling a thriving food and fibre sector for rangatahi in Aotearoa

What does it take to create a food and fibre sector where rangatahi can thrive?

Attraction and RetentionDiversity and InclusionMental Health and WellbeingPastoral Care

Aquaculture and Seaweed conferences provide industry insights

Topics of significant interest to Muka Tangata include biodiversity and the need for greater learning options, especially short courses.

BiosecurityDelivery and AssessmentRegulatory Compliance

New Kaupapa Mahi | Projects

We've consolidated our work into four focus areas. 

Research reveals how vocational education impacts wellbeing outcomes and the labour market

The research follows a cohort of 110,262 domestic learners 

Mental Health and WellbeingPathwaysProfitability

Māori workforce in Muka Tangata industries

Māori are well represented in Aotearoa’s food and fibre workforce

Diversity and Inclusion

Māori leadership

The first milestone of this project has been marked by the publication a literature review.

Diversity and InclusionSkills

An insight into pest management

We recently attended the Pest Management Association of NZ conference. 

QualificationsSkills

New micro-credential growing leaders in Dairy industry

Programme leading to the new Emerging Leadership in People, Food and Fibre micro-credential to be delivered for the first time.

Attraction and RetentionDelivery and AssessmentQualificationsSkills

Taking animal health forward

A new report highlights the issues around retention for the industry. 

Attraction and RetentionMental Health and WellbeingResearch

Our industries

All People, Food and Fibre
Apiculture
Arable
Dairy Farming
Equine, Greyhounds and Racing
Forestry
Fruit
Grapes and Wine
Nursery, Turf and Gardening
Poultry, Pigs and other livestock farming
Seafood
Sheep, Beef, Deer and Wool Farming
Support Services
Vegetables
Veterinary Services and Animal Care