Pita Sharples

22 June, 2011

Launch of He Toki ki te Rika M�ori Trade Training programme

Tuatahi me mihi ki te tangata whenua, ki a Ngai Tahu.

Me mihi ki nga mate o te wa

Me mihi hoki ki nga iwi maha o Nga Pakihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha, o Otautahi, e hemanawa nei, e whakamomori nei i nga ru whenua, e ngaueue nei o koutou kainga, e koropupu nei te wai i te whenua. Ka nui te aroha ki nga whanau e raruraru ana, ka nui te mihi hoki ki to koutou maia.

Kei te mihi hoki ki te whare e tu nei, hei whakamaru mo te iwi i tenei wa, a, he whare whakamaru i nga whakatipuranga Maori, i haere mai ai ki te ako i nga mahi kamura, nga mahi hanga korere wai, me era atu momo mahi.

E tika ana kia hoki mai tatou ki konei i tenei ra whakahirahira.

Canterbury Recovery

While the current focus in the Canterbury region is on emergency work, immediate repairs, and site clearance, we must also look to the future.

Out of the devastation of disaster, the rebuilding gives us a chance to train people and develop their skills, so more people can get permanent work in the Canterbury region.

I first discussed this idea with key players on 17 September last year, less than two weeks after the first quake.

He Toki ki te Rika Initiative

He Toki ki te Rika - a M�ori Trade Training Centre - will help ensure M�ori share in meaningful training and job opportunities arising from both the Canterbury Recovery and wider workforce development.

This initiative builds on Te Puni K�kiri�s, and government�s commitment to trade training and the Canterbury Recovery.

The real strength of this initiative is the partnership approach of The Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT), Te Tapuae o R�hua, Te R�nanga o Ng�i Tahu, Ng�i Tahu Property Company and the BETA cluster of ITOs.

By working together, trade training can be tailored to meet the needs of both M�ori trainees and employers. The right support and mentoring will lead to successful training and employment outcomes.

This approach is flexible and practical enough to work in the unique Canterbury context, and the everyday life of those involved. I commend the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology CPIT and their partners for setting up this initiative.

M�ori in Trade Training: skills, training and economic development

M�ori have invested heavily in trade training in the past. During the 1950, 60s and 70s M�ori Trades Training, as it was known then, provided hundreds of young M�ori men and women with their first steps into trade qualifications, and, in many cases, life long careers and friendships. Many came to Rehua in their youth, and stayed on in Te Waipounamu.

Our people are our greatest resource, and improving the skills, training and qualifications of M�ori is paramount in realising M�ori economic potential and wh�nau wellbeing more widely.

There is a strong link between higher level qualifications and potential earnings.

Infrastructure is an important part of the Government's wider economic programme and New Zealand's longer-term economic prospects because it supports productivity, faster economic growth and jobs.

Te Puni K�kiri�s commitment to trade training

Te Puni K�kiri has made over a dozen investments in pilot projects and other successful models of trades training.

Huge successes have been achieved with organisations such as Infratrain, the civil construction industry training organisation, to upskill M�ori for better jobs and careers.

I am sure that the He Toki ki te Rika initiative will build on this, and as Christchurch emerges from the wreckage left by the earthquakes, our people and our economy will rise together to face a new dawn.