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)

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

Not sure what industry?

Muka Tangata look after 14 industries in the food and fibre sector. Details of who is in each industry group can be found here.
Learn more about Muka Tangata Workforce Development Plans

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

Gaining a deeper understanding of learning provision for the forestry industry

As well as building strong relationships, industry hui whakapūmau enhancement visits allow Muka Tangata kaimahi to talk with provider and industry kaimahi as well as ākonga, and observe delivery and assessment in practice.

Delivery and AssessmentProvision of Learning

Get involved: Entry Level and Agriculture qualification development projects

Muka Tangata has launched two simultaneous qualification development projects for all food and fibre Entry Level and Agriculture qualifications, standards and micro-credentials.

Attraction and RetentionNon-Formal LearningPathwaysQualificationsSkills

Women in the food and fibre sector

Just over 100,000 women work in our food and fibre sector, 1/3 of the total workforce.

Diversity and Inclusion

Forestry micro-credential development update

Ten new Forestry micro-credentials, developed by Muka Tangata, have been approved by NZQA.

Qualifications

December 2023 SOPI report

The report provides an update on the export performance and issues affecting New Zealand's food and fibre sector. 

Research

Spotlight on Greenkeepers

Bridging the Gap: Introducing the Sports Turf Industry to our Workforce Development Plans

Diversity and Inclusion

Churn in the food and fibre sector

The biggest source of new entrants in food and fibre industries represented by Muka Tangata are people who have not worked in the industry previously (industry changers).

Attraction and Retention

New irrigation micro-credentials on the way

Muka Tangata is working with the irrigation industry to develop new credentials to better support learners and the industry.

Attraction and RetentionQualificationsSkills

Introduction to the Māori WDP

Our team has begun work on a Māori Workforce Development Plan (MWDP) for the food and fibre sector and are pleased to release a video introduction to the project.  

Diversity and InclusionPathways

Improving preparation in the woolshed

Our Engagement and Partnerships team attended the New Zealand Wool Classers Association North Island Industry Day

ProfitabilitySkills

Partnership supports good outcomes for learners

Muka Tangata and the National Trade Academy (NTA) are working together to support good outcomes for learners. 

Delivery and Assessment

National NZ Merino Shears

We attended the 62nd National Merino Shears competition.