Wintec | Te Pūkenga championing equitable outcomes through mana whenua partnerships and industry collaborations
Wintec |Te Pūkenga hosted its long-awaited annual Employment Industry Dinner, following a three year break due to Covid-19. The event, which is strongly aligned to the organisation’s Tōia Mai excellence framework and achieving equitable outcomes guided by Te Tiriti, was hosted by the Kaitūhono Mahi team which supports Māori and Pacific trades training (MPTT), led by Harris Huntley.
"This year’s dinner added a new dimension on the previous format by not only connecting ākonga with industry representatives, but also mana whenua, giving them an opportunity to share kai, talk about their experiences and grow connections,” says Harris.
L-R Jaimee Cruse - Kaiāwhina MPTT, Harris Huntley – MPTT Manager, Ngavaevae Daniels - Kaitūhono Mahi
Through the support of the Kotahitanga workstream, this event brought together mana whenua and industry partners to foster and directly create relationships that will benefit ākonga education and career pathways with ongoing support from the Māori and Pacific Kaitūhono Mahi team.
“For ākonga, the Employment Industry Dinner is an opportunity to showcase their skills and enthusiasm to potential employers and now, they have an opportunity to reconnect with their hapū and iwi. They can engage in informal conversations, seek advice, and develop a deeper understanding of the industry's expectations and mana whenua aspirations,” says Te Wai Collins, Kaihautū- Kotahitanga.
The theme of the evening was 'Soul Food,' and our Culinary Arts (Level 5) ākonga and tutors Peter Skelton, Marco Guimaraes, Natasha Robson, and Mark Holland planned, prepared, and served a delicious three-course dinner at Windows, Wintec Te Pūkenga training restaurant.
During the evening, ākonga, both past and present, who have received support from the collective efforts of those in attendance, took turns sharing their pūrākau, their learning journeys that encompassed their transition from studying to entering the industry, highlighting the value of these experiences.
“By establishing these face-to-face connections, the Employment Industry dinner event opens doors to exciting employment opportunities for ākonga across industries and throughout hapū and iwi,” said TeUrikore Biddle, Wintec | Te Pūkenga Executive Director Māori, Quality and Academic.
