Overview

In the spirit of our Pacific ancestors, we present Soko ni Drua, our Workforce Development Plan for Pacific peoples in the food and fibre sector of Aotearoa New Zealand - a journey toward a vibrant, inclusive future for our Pacific communities. 

Soko ni Drua is a plan for the Aotearoa New Zealand vocational education and training (VET) system, to foster the courage of Pacific peoples to continue to use their languages, cultures, and knowledge systems to chart their own destinies, to support them in creating new knowledge, and more importantly, to enable Pacific peoples to thrive, now and into the future. 

 

The Pacific Workforce

The Pacific workforce is growing fast and represents a significant opportunity for the food and fibre sector.  

  • The Pacific population is growing fast. Pacific peoples make up 9% of New Zealand’s population, growing 16% from 2018 to 2023. New Zealand’s overall population grew by ~6% over this period1.   

Our food and fibre sector is forecast to grow – being able to attract, retain and grow our Pacific workforce represents a significant opportunity.  

  • In 2023, Pacific peoples contributed 6% to the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP)2, and 5% to the Muka Tangata industries. 
  • Pacific peoples’ businesses and organisations held $8.3 billion in assets in 2017. The Primary sector accounted for $963 million (11.5%), while the Business Services sector held the largest share at $2.5 billion3.
  • In 2022, 20,057 Pacific individuals were employed in Muka Tangata industries which is around 8% of the 228,700 Pacific peoples working across all industries nationwide. 
  • Within the food and fibre sector, Pacific peoples are concentrated in a few key industries – predominantly Horticulture and associated services, and Seafood. 
Pacific WDP / original image
Key Highlights
  • Strong and Growing Contribution: Pacific peoples now make up 9% of NZ’s population, contributed 6% to national GDP in 2023, and held $8.3 billion in assets as of 2017. 
  • Essential to Key Industries: Over 20,000 Pacific individuals worked in Muka Tangata industries in 2022, especially in Horticulture and associated services, and Seafood. 
  • Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Impact: The number of Pacific RSE workers in Muka Tangata industries has increased from 5,100 workers in 2015 to 8,500 workers in 2022., playing a key role in seasonal labour and industry productivity. 

There is more information about other important areas such as regional distribution, cultural contributions, and workforce development opportunities, in the full downloadable document below.

 

Supporting Pacific Success in the Food and Fibre Sector  

Recognise the value and opportunity that the Pacific workforce brings to the food and fibre sector 
  • The growth of the Pacific workforce represents a real opportunity for the food and fibre sector to grow and revitalise its workforce.  
  • The sector should think about how it can tap into and grow the connections to the Pacific workforce.  

Our contribution:  

  • Provide data and evidence on the Pacific workforce and learners, including handover to a food and fibre Industry Skills Board, to enable the sector to identify key demographic opportunities. 
Strengthen and embed cultural connections 

To attract and retain the Pacific workforce, the sector needs to strengthen how it embeds and supports the values and expertise that the workforce brings. 

Our contribution:  

  • Support providers to develop programmes to meet the Pacific learning and language considerations.  
  • We will explore opportunities through collaboration with Pacific review participants to incorporate traditional knowledge with modern skills in qualifications and standards. Our assessment specifications for skill standards state “All activities should, as relevant to candidates and/or this standard, reflect the peoples of the Pacific and other cultures, and their world views.” 
Build pathways and opportunities for the Pacific workforce in the food and fibre sector 
  • The food and fibre sector needs to improve pathways and opportunities for progression to retain its existing workforce, build the skills it needs for the future and present itself as an attractive sector to work in.
  • This is particularly needed for the Pacific workforce who are underrepresented in more senior level roles.  
  • Training can play a valuable role in building these pathways, but it also requires industry to look at how it can support its workforce to build skills and progress those with potential within their industries.  

Our contribution:

  • Muka Tangata leads the consultation and development of educational components (qualifications, standards and micro-credentials) and pathways in the food and fibre sector. Our development projects ensure that the qualifications, standards, and micro-credentials are fit for purpose, meet the needs of industry and enable ākonga to succeed in their training and career goals.  

We provide investment advice to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) on what qualifications and modes of delivery it should be purchasing, to meet the needs of both industries and learners. In our advice, we will consider the specific needs of Pacific peoples and convey these to TEC.

RSE Skills Recognition Project

The RSE Skills Recognition Project aims to formally recognise the skills Pacific workers gain through the RSE scheme in New Zealand, making them transferable and valued both locally and in their home countries. The project supports career development, training, mentorship, and the creation of sustainable employment pathways beyond seasonal work. 

It also helps education providers deliver targeted programmes and ensures skills are assessed, acknowledged, and recognised upon reintegration into Pacific communities. 

Find out more about the project here.

View full downloadable document for Soko ni Drua here:

Soko ni Drua PDF 11MB

Footnotes

1. 2023 Census

2. The income approach to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the income earned from the production of goods and services by adding business profits, salaries and wages, and taxes less subsidies.

3. New Zealand Pacific Peoples Economy - November 2018 (treasury.govt.nz)