Harakeke does not grow alone. The name for a cluster of flax is pā harakeke. Together the flax benefit from mutual support against the wind, to retain soil moisture, and to supress weed growth.

Just as a harakeke is stronger when it is planted with others, so too are plans that are created with consideration to others. That is why Muka Tangata wants to collaborate with other organisations with an interest in Māori thriving in the food and fibre sector.

Iwi and hapū Māori, Māori industry groups, and wider government have many plans that outline goals and how they might achieve them.

By making sure our work complements that of others, we will achieve more for Māori, and more for the food and fibre sector.

Iwi and hapū Māori

Many iwi and hapū Māori have long term aspirations that their whenua and other resources will be used to support the wellbeing of their people.

While the food and fibre sector features strongly in many iwi plans, there are also many other industries that iwi and hapū have an interest in. Workforce Development Councils are working together to ensure that we look at iwi and hapū requirements in the vocational education and training system together.

Māori industry

Māori industry bodies are a powerful voice for Māori in the food and fibre sector. Organisations including FoMA (the largest network of Māori Freehold landowners in Aotearoa NZ), Ngā Pou a Tāne (a membership organisation of around 14,000 Māori with an interest in forestry) and Tangata Huawhenua (a collective of Māori in the horticulture industry) are advocating and planning together.

Groups like these provide Muka Tangata with invaluable insights into the aspirations of Māori in their industries and we have a responsibility to work closely with them on ways that the vocational education system can support their aspirations.

Government agencies

We formally report to the Tertiary Education Commission, but our work also has an impact on Māori development in other government agencies and we want to contribute and be informed by that work.

At the time of writing Te Haumako, there are two plans within government that closely relate to the food and fibre sector.

  • He Kai Kei Aku Ringa - Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment: The Māori Crown economic growth partnership to drive an all-of-government focus on achieving positive economic outcomes for Māori.
  • Rautaki mo te Taurikura - Ministry for Primary Industries: A plan that aims to support the Māori food and fibre sector in achieving their aspirations. It includes an emphasis on career pathways and leadership development in the sector.

Both reports were developed with extensive consultation with Māori and include goals and actions that the work of Muka Tangata embraces. 

Ongoing actions

17. Collaborate with the other Workforce Development Councils on engagement with iwi and hapū Māori to ensure that skills and training needs are looked at across different industries that they are involved in.

18. Build and strengthen relationships between Muka Tangata and Māori industry organisations.

19. Provide a regular report that identifies government agency plans that relate to Māori in the food and fibre sector and how we
support them.