Tamati Coffey Labour List MP

Did you know that through employment programmes launched under Jacinda Ardern's leadership like, Mana in Mahi, He Poutama Rangatahi, Māori Trades and Training, and Flexi-wage, we've seen more than 10,000 Māori supported into employment, education or training?

That's not just a milestone, that's incredible change that is empowering whānau right here in the Western Bay of Plenty to have more control over their futures through meaningful jobs.

The good news is, we're not stopping there. Recently, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni and Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson unveiled our new Māori Employment Action Plan, Te Mahere Whai Mahi Māori. A co-ordinated all-of-government plan, created by an independent Māori reference group who we mihi to, for their work.

As a result, Te Mahere Whai Mahi looks to grow the Māori and wider economy, supporting more Māori into education, training, or well-paid secure employment, as we secure New Zealand's recovery from Covid-19.

Like our Māori Health Authority will do in the hauora space, Te Whai Mahi underlines our commitment to supporting kaupapa Māori, and working in partnership with whānau, hapū, iwi and the wider community to improve employment outcomes for their descendants.

Twice as many Maori are unemployed compared to the non-Māori population and for a long time, we have just accepted that as ‘normal'. But our Government is not happy with that persistent inequity, so we are doing something about it. All around the Western BOP it is clear that to end to disparity between Māori and non-Māori, and get real results that better suit the needs of our people, we must work together as Te Tiriti partners.

Te Whai Mahi does this, better backing Māori as employees, employers, and drivers of the Māori and wider economy to achieve their future aspirations, while boosting the recovery and resilience of our community from Covid-19, so whānau are better protected against any future economic shocks.

My favourite aspect is that Te Whai Mahi is to support tangata whenua from all backgrounds and walks of life into quality employment, education and training. Whether you're an aspiring wāhine Māori entrepreneur, or a young jobseeker with a desire to get into leadership roles or an older Māori wanting to upskill, this plan will support you to do just that.

With the challenges of the pandemic felt in every whare, and the Māori labour force growing five times faster than non-Māori, it has never been more vital for Te Whai Mahi to come along and support local Māori-led solutions to put better futures in front of our people. Hoake tonu tātou!