Executive summary

Whakarāpopototanga Matua

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Skills Leadership Group (RSLG) has prepared this Regional Workforce Plan (RWP) for our rohe (region). This RWP is the start of a collaborative journey to increase the wellbeing of the people in the rohe. It provides a common starting point and supports a shared understanding of the mahi (work) that needs to be done to improve the skills of kaimahi (worker) and increase regional productivity.

The RWP has 5 key aspirations founded on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi): an active treaty partnership (Our mahi is always done in partnership and whānau are intrinsic to decisions and conversations); a balancing principle (Economic drivers are balanced against the holistic needs of people – our conversations and decisions consider all dimensions); a ‘present versus future’ principle (As a group we respond to what is happening today and at the same time we consider what this means tomorrow?); a foresight principle (We consistently cast our thoughts towards the future so that our communities are prepared and equipped to flourish), and sustainable and productive employment (Kaimahi deserve decent work and respectable workplaces).

This RWP will focus on 5 pou (pillars):

  • Primary sector
  • Construction sector
  • Wāhine in the Workforce
  • Rangatahi and School Transitions
  • Work Ready Job Seekers.

Engagement across the rohe have informed where we have chosen to focus our mahi. We have deliberately drawn on insights from engagements with our people to develop the actions set out in this RWP.

For our actions and recommendations to be successful, it is vital for industry to work in partnership with Iwi and Mana Whenua including Post Settlement Governance Entities (PSGEs), Taiwhenua, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, Matariki partners, including local and central government, and community providers. Our mahi seeks to improve coordination across the training provision within our rohe to improve outcomes for rangatahi, wāhine, and work ready job seekers. We also support the development of Te Ōhanga Māori (Māori economy) with better linkage into social procurement and building Māori industry and businesses.

Napier Port with docked container ship