Te Haumako Māori Workforce Development Plan

Karakia Timatanga

Kia whakamānawatia a Ranginui e tū iho nei, a Papatūānuku e takoto ake nei me ā rāua uri e whakamarumaru nei i a tātou. Ko ngā hua ēnei o rātou mā ka ahu mai i te rangi, ka whano mai i te whenua, ka tākiri mai i ngā wai, ka pupuhi mai i ngā hau me te taiao e ora nei tātou. E tika ana kia mihia rātou mā, ngā atua māori e noho nei hei kaiwhakamarumaru i ngā wai me ngā whenua taurikura puta noa i Aotearoa. Kia kī ake i konei - Toitū te whenua, whatungarongaro te tangata.

Tihei Mauriora.

We honour Ranginui above and Papatūānuku lying here before us and their progeny who shelter and protect us. These are the benefits derived from the natural elements – from the sky, the land, from the water and the winds and the environment that give us life. It is fitting that we acknowledge them all, the natural elements that act as protectors of the waters and the prosperous land throughout Aotearoa. As echoed in the expression – While the land endures, people disappear from sight.

Here is the breath of life.

Ka Mua Ka Muri

Our plan is called Te Haumako – named for the most rich and fertile soil used to grow strong and sturdy food and fibre. Unless we plant in and nurture the most fertile, productive, and richest whenua at the right time, what develops will not be strongest it can be.

In Te Haumako, we are guided by the whakataukī Ka mua, ka muri - Walking backward into the future.

By reflecting on the lessons and achievements of the past, we gain valuable insights into what we need to do for the soil to be rich and fertile so that Māori, and all in Aotearoa, flourish in the food and fibre sector. LEARN MORE 

Overall, the food and fibre sector workforce is small compared to other sectors but has a big impact on our country’s GDP. In 2021, over $130,000 in export revenue was generated for every worker in the sector, compared to just under $11,000 per worker across all other sectors. As a result, investment in the food and fibre workforce generates much greater returns to the nation than any other investment. We need a system that directs investment in line with returns and Māori need to be at the forefront to determine how to direct that investment well.

In Te Haumako, we focus on specific initiatives and ways in which Māori-led and focused improvements to vocational education and training will support Māori to continue to grow. 

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