At the start of the year, my leadership team and I faced a reality none of us expected: after three years of building something from the ground up, Ringa Hora would be disestablished due to a change in government direction. In that moment, we had a choice. We could stay stuck in frustration—or we could choose to lead differently. We chose opportunity.
What I am proudest of is not only what we accomplished, but how we did it.
We committed to finishing strong, showing that leadership through change can be done with integrity, courage, and hope. That meant leaning into our values, embracing vulnerability, and staying focused on what matters most: serving industry, supporting learners, and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
One of the greatest privileges of these past four years has been working alongside industry to tackle complex challenges. “Industry-led” is easy to say, but hard to do. That spirit of collaboration has been at the heart of everything we’ve done, from amplifying Māori and Pacific voices to championing inclusion for Tāngata Whaikaha, and creating tools and resources that will endure beyond us.
As you read this newsletter, we hope you’ll see the milestones we achieved. But more importantly, that you see the story of a team that chose to lead with purpose, even in the hardest times. Change is inevitable. How we show up in it is not. And I couldn’t be prouder of how our kaimahi showed up.
To our industry partners and employers, you carried the load, gave generously with your stories and feedback, and reminded us of what true collaboration looks like. You made “industry-led” real.
To our education and training providers, your partnership has been critical, and we have just started to see how we might turn industry insights into meaningful pathways for ākonga. You remain the bridge between industry needs and learner success.
And finally, to the future Industry Skills Boards, the rakau is now yours. I can’t wait to see what the future of ISBs holds as they continue to champion industry voices and work alongside providers to create a system that delivers Service skills for all.
While this chapter closes, the story of industry leadership in vocational education continues. The future is bright and I look forward to seeing the ISBs and our partners build on this legacy to create skills for life, wherever it takes you.
Ngā mihi
Kari Scrimshaw
