We’ve had a massive year so far. Our team has supported industry events, promoted pathways into the Service sector, and run webinars and workshops alongside our qualification development team.

 

Over the last two months we supported our Qualification Development team with ‘Building tomorrow’s success today’ networking evenings. The first was held in Pōneke in collaboration with the Power of Three – Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Te Awe Māori Business Network and Wellington Pasifika Business Network. The second hui was held in Taranaki in collaboration with Western Institute of Technology. Thank you so much to all who attended for your insights into our Business Qualification Suite review. We hope you enjoyed connecting with other members of the business community!

 

Some of our kaimahi from Ringa Hora were invited along to wānanga on the Workforce Development Councils and the kaupapa of Māori Tourism. It was an awesome wānanga with very passionate tourism operators in the Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga region alongside Hawkes Bay Māori Tourism. They were very engaged right from the beginning. We even had a bit of a waiata ngahau during our lunch, with a show from Phelvis himself! (Phillip/Elvis). Miharo rawa atu!

We have many great insights from this kaupapa and connections made to enable strength in unity moving forward for the people of Heretaunga region and its Māori Tourism Operators.

 

 

He Kura Tawhiti Māori Tourism Conference, hosted by NZ Māori Tourism at Wairakei, was truly inspiring! Ben Ngaia, Poumatua and Bridget Grave, Transformation Manager were fortunate to attend for Ringa Hora and left with invaluable insights:

• Impacts of tourism within indigenous communities.
• Emphasis on storytelling that authentically reflects the narratives of people and place.
• Important reflections on tourism’s relationship with the environment.
• Exploration of cultural identity through initiatives that promote authentic indigenous experiences in Canada, USA, and NZ.
• Exciting perspectives on AI in tourism, highlighting both opportunities and challenges.

The conference was a fantastic opportunity to learn and connect with leaders in Māori tourism and beyond while directly aligning with the work of Ringa Hora (add link to StoryTelling Micro Credential). We’re excited to integrate these learnings with our ongoing work representing the Tourism Industry.

A heartfelt thank you to NZ Māori Tourism for organizing such a thought-provoking event!

 

 

Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council proudly announces its endorsement and support for Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira in their innovative Kai.Kōrero project. Guided by the principles of “Whakatipu Oranga” (Nurturing Prosperity) and “Whakapakari Whakapapa” (Cultivating Heritage), Kai.Kōrero represents a visionary initiative aimed at fostering pathways into hospitality, business, and cultivation. 

This transformative program is dedicated to empowering te iwi o Ngāti Toa and the wider community while upholding and promoting its rich cultural heritage. By integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary practices, Kai.Kōrero seeks to develop people and establish sustainable hospitality enterprises, ensuring opportunities for all. Emphasizing sustainability, the project aims to ensure the flourishing legacy of cultural practices and create a model that intertwines mātauranga Māori across diverse curricula. 

Through its innovative approach, Kai.Kōrero demonstrates how learning and development can be seamlessly merged with economic activity, securing a prosperous future for current and future generations.

Ringa Hora’s role in this initiative includes credentialising the Wāhine Taiea Leadership programme in partnership with Ngāti Toa Rangatira and training provider Whitireia. We are proud to stand in full support of Kai.Kōrero, recognising its potential to catalyse enduring prosperity and cultural revitalisation within the community. 

 

 

Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council are excited to announce their support and partnership with Te Awe Māori Business Network.

Te Awe empowers and connects Māori businesses in Te Whanganui-a-Tara through impactful networking and manaakitanga.

Founded in 1996, they are a leading force in empowering Māori business success. Te Awe stand by an inclusive approach, welcoming individuals, businesses, and organisations passionate about supporting Māori entrepreneurs in their journeys.

Led by a passionate volunteer committee, Te Awe fosters a diverse and thriving network whose members range from ambitious startups to established corporate entities, all united by a shared interest in propelling Māori business forward.

For Ringa Hora, the aim is to foster closer relationships and collaboration opportunities with the members of Te Awe Māori Business Network to amplify the voice of industry and Māori in the vocational education sector.

 

Ringa Hora has been working hard in the past few months with Tāwhia Banking Rōpū, set up to advance the cause of Māori working in the banking sector. 

One highlight was a hui at the Porirua Career Expo in May, where our kaimahi Bobi Te Runa and Elkan Seaga spent time along with Tawhia representatives Alicia Bristowe (Reserve Bank), Keiha Te Ngoungou (KiwiBank), Israel Elkington and Jaime Rangi (both BNZ) talking to high school students, university graduates, parents, teachers, and the community about our work. 

We also connected Tāwhia Banking Rōpū with Professional IQ, an education provider which delivers the NZ Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5), with the goal of creating a partnership that will help achieve Tāwhia’s goals and aspirations. 

We look forward to seeing how Tāwhia and Professional IQ work together in future.