MANA TAKATA STORY
Employment Workstream
General Manager of Mana Takata Chris Rosenbrock says that the Employment workstream is making a real difference for Māori and Pasifika across Otago.
Our Approach
“When we first approached the Ministry of Social Development in 2018 to discuss our vision for future employment opportunities in the region, we were very clear with them that we wanted to do something different to secure employment opportunities for Māori and Pasifika people. It was obvious to us that doing the same old thing was not working.
“The Ministry went on to back us with a three-year contract to support 20 whānau a year into employment – but instead of a total of 60, we have supported 213 over that time, including 63 apprencticeships and 54 other employment outcomes through the He Toki Level 3 Pre-Trade qualification programme. It’s definitely been a case of ‘build and they will come’,” he says.
General Manager of Mana Takata Chris Rosenbrock
Business Relationships
Mana Takata has partnerships with a number of key businesses in the Otago region including Naylor Love, Downer and Fulton Hogan, and they work with them to match whānau with sought-after industry apprenticeships.
“In the beginning, we went door-knocking around local businesses to share our employment vision and these three companies were some of the first to give us a go,” Chris says.
“They were willing to take on an apprenticeship through our initiatives and it’s heartening to see that the guys we placed there then, are still there today.”
He says once word start spreading about the work Mana Takata was doing, other companies began approaching them and the initiative grew rapidly.
“We quickly realised though, that pastoral support for these apprentices was vital – not only once they were placed with companies but even before. We had to make sure they were work-ready.”
“The Ministry went on to back us with a three-year contract to support 20 whānau a year into employment – but instead of a total of 60, we have supported 213 over that time, including 63 apprencticeships and 54 other employment outcomes through the He Toki Level 3 Pre-Trade qualification programme.
It’s definitely been a case of ‘build and they will come.”
– Chris Rosenbrock, General Manager of Mana Takata
Pastoral Care
Overseeing a full programme of pastoral care that includes personal coaching, skills development and mentoring, is Employment and Career Navigator, Paul Miller. His role is to ensure employment outcomes for Māori and Pasifika after they have completed their He Toki Pre-Trades training at Otago Polytechnic, and to support them throughout their employment journey.
“We now have a business resource of over 50 industry partners and there is a high demand for tradesmen in the region. But before we send anybody into employment, we spend a lot of time interacting with them to find out about their vision for themselves – where they want to be in five or ten years’ time and what they need to help them through,” Paul says.
He says most whānau are very supportive of their family member taking up an apprenticeship or a new employment role but he says the key for him, is securing the trust of whānau.
“That’s something you have to build up over time but we find if whānau needs are met – if they have a safe, warm home and food on the table, there is willing support for our initiatives.”
“Pastoral support isn’t just about mentoring on the job, it’s also about making sure they have a driver’s licence if they need it – or helping them get one. It’s about assisting with budgeting and insurance matters; and it’s about ensuring transport to work, relationship and whānau advice – we funnel through whatever they need.”
– Paul Miller, Employment and Career Navigator
It’s a demanding role but one Paul thrives on. He is on call 24/7 and he finds the diversity of the mahi very satisfying.
“There’s no template for this job. Every day is different, every person is different but it always comes back to whanaungatanga and the trust we build. Providing this sort of pastoral support on and off the job is what ensures sustainable employment and the men and women we put into employment need to know there is always someone there to lean on and to guide them.”
Naylor Love’s Regional Director, Dunedin, Jason Tutty is quick to stress the importance of Mana Tākata’s comprehensive pastoral support programme.
“We were quick to get on board with Aukaha’s vision for Māori and Pasifika employment because it mirrored our own company vision for increasing diversity within the workforce. It seemed like a natural fit for us and we’ve never looked back since we jumped on board. It’s a fantastic relationship and Mana Tākata’s approach to pastoral care is a powerful thing,” he says.
Naylor Love has taken on eight Māori/Pasifika apprenticeships over the last three years and Jason Tutty says the company is very proud of its relationship with Aukaha.
“It’s not only helped us diversify our own workplace, it has also allowed us to take stock of our values. It’s been a humbling experience and it’s great to be a part of something that is good for everyone involved.”
Naylor Love Foreman, Blake McDonald reiterates the importance of the partnership with Aukaha and Mana Tākata.
“They go so much further in their care and support of workers. I see the time Paul puts into supporting his apprentices. It’s hours of work and it’s not just 9 to 5. It’s impressive.”
Aukaha – Paul especially – has guided me. When I had no idea what I wanted to do, Paul reached out to me. He’s given me the confidence to be the person I am today and the financial stability of having a job has made all the difference to my whānau. It’s fair to say that Mana Tākata has guided me into a position I didn’t know I needed. It’s changed my life,” he says.
Jamahl Oliver-Baker - Te Arawa, Naylor Love Apprentice
Now two years into a building apprenticeship with Naylor Love, Jamahl Oliver-Baker (Te Arawa), works with Blake, who says he’s noticed big changes in Jamahl since he started with the company.
“Jamahl has developed so much in the way he cares for himself and his job. He’s developed a real maturity and I put that down to all the extra support he gets from Paul. He has a young family and having new systems in place in his life is motivating him and helping him to achieve.
“As site manager, it’s my job to make sure these workers work to standard and keep on track but it’s the extra support that Paul and the Aukaha team provide that really makes the difference,” Blake says.
From Jamahl’s perspective, taking up an apprenticeship with the help of Mana Takata was one of the best choices he has made in his life.
Whether it’s matching Māori and Pasifika to sought-after industry apprenticeships, finding other employment opportunities, or developing and supporting the workforces for Jobs for Nature projects like Whiria Te Waitaki, Te Haka Pupu, or Maintaining the Gains, Chris Rosenbrock says it all comes back to “finding solutions and coming up with programmes to develop and help whānau.”
“It’s not only helped us diversify our own workplace, it has also allowed us to take stock of our values. It’s been a humbling experience and it’s great to be a part of something that is good for everyone involved.”
– Jason Tutty, Naylor Love’s Regional Director, Dunedin
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