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KiwiRail is on track to deliver more jobs for rangatahi Māori, if the investment announced yesterday delivers as expected.
The $1 billion rail package signalled in Budget 2019 is to include replacing more than 100 locomotives, adding larger container wagons of busy routes, replacing the rail ferries, and upgrading tracks, bridges, tunnels and signals around the country.
Associate Transport and Regional Economic Development Minsiter Shane Jones says there is also money going in from the Provincial Growth Fund, and he wants to see some of that going to train the next generation of rail workers.
He says in earlier times many Māori learned good skills through the rail network, and it's time to revive that kaupapa.
"From time to time we need to rely on migrant labour but rail is an example where we can train everyone ourselves if we are committed and I am deeply committed to ensuring that our rangatahi Māori and quite frankly all young people who are interested though obviously I would like to see as many Māori as possible, certainly in the regions, stepping up to the plate," Mr Jones says.
Kiwirail is working with Corrections to identify entry level jobs which can be used to rehabilitate some of the men and women coming out of prison.
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