Connecting mahi

There are a number of public sector commitments and MBIE work programmes which support the mahi the agency is doing to improve diversity and inclusion, to close gender and ethnic pay gaps and create fairer workplaces. These are described below:

Papa Pounamu focus areas

There are 5 areas of focus that are most likely to help the Public Service create fair, diverse and inclusive workplaces reflective of the communities we serve.

  • Te Urupare i te Mariu | Addressing bias
  • Te whakawhanaungatanga | Building relationships
  • Te āheinga ā-ahurea | Cultural competence
  • Ngā tūhononga e kōkiritia ana e ngā kaimahi | Employee-led networks
  • Hautūtanga Ngākau Tuwhera | Inclusive leadership 

Kia Toipoto (Public Service Pay Gap Action Plan 2021 to 2024)

Kia Toipoto 3-year goals are:

  • Make substantial progress toward closing gender, Māori, Pacific, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African (MELAA) and other ethnic pay gaps.  
  • Accelerate progress for wāhine Māori, Pacific women, and women from ethnic communities. 
  • Create fairer workplaces for all, including disabled people and members of rainbow communities.  

Focus areas

  • Nga Hua Tōkeke mō te Utu | Equitable pay outcomes
  • Te whakakore i te katoa o ngā momo whakatoihara, haukume anō hoki | Eliminating all forms of bias and discrimination
  • Te Taunoa o te Mahi Pīngore | Flexible-work by-default
  • Kia Toipoto focus area: Te whai kanohi i ngā taumata katoa | Leadership and representation
  • Kia Toipoto focus area: Te Whakawhanaketanga i te Aramahi | Effective career and leadership development

Connections with Kia Toipoto, Māori, Pacific and ethnic communities strategic focus areas and work plan (Te Kawa Mataaho). 

Whāinga Amorangi

Whāinga Amorangi is a work programme designed to lift the Māori Crown relations capability across the public service. Whāinga Amorangi provides the framework to meet our responsibility under the Public Service. It empowers MBIE kaimahi to build their confidence to partner with Māori in an enduring and consistent way.   

Wellbeing, health and safety

All Public Service employees and contractors are entitled to a safe and inclusive workplace. Where people treat one another with respect and work together to deliver for people in New Zealand. (Positive and safe workplaces). There are strong connections with Inclusion and Belonging, and Wellbeing, Health and Safety to provide an environment where people feel safe and belong.

Flexible working by default

MBIE is a flexible-by-default agency. This means options can be explored for flexible working for all roles, unless there is a clear business reason the desired option won't suit the role. MBIE's flexible working at MBIE policy and procedures are in line with the 6 guiding principles established by Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission. 

Flexible working supports our priorities including the focus on MBIE being a place that people want to work. MBIE continues to normalise flexible working, so employees at all levels can balance their paid and unpaid work, without trading off career progression or pay.

Last updated: 22 December 2023