We recently welcomed our second BCITO group to Whenua Iti Outdoors for a four-day programme designed specifically for Māori apprentices. BCITO were looking for an experience that blended outdoor learning with Kaupapa Māori delivery, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori. Our team co-developed a custom programme with BCITO called ‘Mana Whakatipu, Mana Tangata’. The programme drew on lessons from our cultural tourism Trades Academy course called Manaaki Tāpoi as well as various corporate groups and international visitor programmes.
BCITO Director, Greg Durkin reflected on the co-developed programme,
“BCITO’s partnership with Whenua Iti to deliver Mana Whakatipu | Mana Tangata reflects our commitment to creating leadership pathways for Māori in the construction sector. Programmes like this are vital, they help apprentices build confidence in themselves, both in and beyond the workplace, and strengthen the foundation for their future in the trades.
We’ve seen Māori representation in the industry grow from 12 to 17 per cent since 2018, and now we want to see more Māori apprentices completing their qualifications and stepping into leadership roles,” he said.
The group took part in an overnight waka journey into the Abel Tasman National Park, a highlight that encouraged connection to place and provided space for shared learning. The programme also included a visit to the Riuwaka Resurgence, where the group explored local stories and the significance of the area. Teambuilding and high ropes activities rounded out the experience and supported the apprentices to step outside their comfort zones.
BCITO Principal Advisor Māori, Jacque-Ann, was pleased with the programme and how well the group had bonded,
“Part of what Te Korowai Manaaki believed was possible through the development of ‘Mana Whakatipu, Mana Tangata’ was supporting our Māori apprentices feel safe and appreciated for who they are including their identity, language and culture.
Our vision was to provide an opportunity for Māori Apprentices to access education that supports them succeeding as Māori through the provision of a unique Kaupapa Māori experience grounded in Kaupapa Māori delivery, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori.
We chose to focus this experience for Apprentices who were near completion and who were identified by their employer as having leadership potential in the industry. This was important for us to lift the rates of Māori participating in higher level qualifications in the Building and Construction trades. The programme includes a grant of up to $1000.00 to go toward a post-apprenticeship qualification pathway.
The benefits are simple, our Māori apprentices are returning to the workforce with their identity as Māori strengthened, renewed, or awakened. We receive Māori Apprentices and we return Rangatira. They were always there, this programme reminds them of their aspirations and potential their Tūpuna always knew was there.
Employers recognise the new focused apprentices; the new self-belief, the lifting of the heads and the passion and simple belief that they have more to contribute to the industry as leaders of the future,” she said.
It was great to build on the success of the first BCITO programme and to continue supporting pathways that strengthen cultural identity, confidence and leadership. We look forward to welcoming BCITO to Whenua Iti again.