Marae Cluster Project SUMMARY
“Kia mau ki te tokanga nui a noho” The Marae Cluster project is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Provincial Growth Fund which aims to lift productivity potential in Aotearoa provinces. The project aims to achieve the following objectives: a Immediate redeployment of vulnerable workers impacted by COVID-19 b Provide a programme of work for local tradesmen and contractors. c An opportunity to target Māori, Pasifika and other vulnerable workers that are not able to secure contracts through more substantial infrastructure project; d Give public confidence that renewed economic activity is underway through targeting regional assets that are highly visible to the community; and e Provide employment for ngā uri o Ngāti Awa. This project sets out the pathway to upskill and develop our Kaimahi while also renovating, and restoring our marae, which are taonga of our hapū.
THE IMPACTS FROM THIS PROJECT • Educational & Employment All kaimahi have been exposed to new learnings and gained work experience under the guidance of a Skills Lead and contractors. Work experience has included concreting, carpentry, painting and supporting contractors where possible. Contractors are looking beyond the project and indicated the potential to offer fulltime employment opportunities to Kaimaihi that demonstrate potential at the completion of this project. The project has been able to fully support Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa registered pakihi.
• Cultural The cultural impacts of this project have been significant, providing a safe and familiar working environment has allowed Kaimahi to flourish demonstrating great work ethic, the ability to learn new tasks quickly and has instilled a positive attitude to mahi, whānau, Hapū and Iwi. The project has given Kaimaihi a greater sense of belonging, they are more connected and feel proud of the transformation they are contributing to in the development and restoration of their respective Marae.
• Whānau / Community Whakawhānaungatanga, kotahitanga and, manaakitanga has been demonstrated across the Marae cluster with multiple working bees undertaken to support individual projects. Whānau, hapū and community have collaborated to tautoko the work that is happening at the marae. For the wider community the renovations and improvements are highly visible and provide positive confidence of renewed economic activity.
TRAINING We have teamed up with Vertical Horizonz New Zealand to upskill the Kaimahi working across the Marae Cluster project. Through this partnership, 27 Kaimahi have completed a Site Safe training workshop gaining a passport recognized by NZ construction sites; 10 Kaimahi have gained their Certificate in Pre-Trade Construction (level 3) which includes manual handling, first aid, forklift, scaffolding, and working at heights. These qualifications have built the capacity and capability of our Kaimahi.
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TE RŪNANGA O NGĀTI AWA | 2021 Annual Report
