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June 23, 2020
Tauhara North No.2 Trust looks to post COVID-19 future
Waatea Team
Posted On June 23, 2020
Tauhara North No.2 Trust looks to post COVID-19 future
Tue 23/06/2020
MEDIA RELEASE
Tauhara North No.2 Trust looks to post COVID-19 future
A local Ahuwhenua Trust has forged a new partnership with Toi Ohomai to ensure Tamaki Māori Village staff impacted by COVID-19 will have access to employment and retraining opportunities.
Tauhara North No.2 Trust chairman Ngahihi Bidois says New Zealand is facing unprecedented times and many organisations and families have been impacted by COVID-19.
“During the lockdown, the Trust decided to retain all 110 employees to line up with the trust values and manaakitanga.”
Mr Bidois says they retained their staff across the COVID-19 period with support from the Government wage subsidy.
Tamaki Māori Village operations and marketing manager Lady Saifiti says establishing the partnership with Toi Ohomai is an innovative way to help their staff, the wider community and local economy recover post COVID-19.
“Many of our whānau have only ever known tourism as employment. While the New Zealand tourism industry recovers, this partnership affords our people with the opportunity to upskill in primary industries.”
Tauhara North No.2 Trust who own Tamaki Māori Village has signed a MOU with Toi Ohomai, this strategic partnership presents all Tamaki employees with retraining opportunities.
With training in place, the business will also focus on relaunching its award-winning evening program which is expected to begin on Friday, July 3.
Mr Bidois says the MOU means intensive training courses will be delivered in primary industries in readiness for Government projects, local infrastructure projects and DOC projects.
“Our focus is on our people. Realistically we cannot retain everyone across the recovery period, but we can and should be ensuring our people have employment opportunities and retraining options to ensure they can provide for their families,” Mr Bidois says.
“We want our people qualified so they are on the front foot of employment opportunities within the primary industry sector, which is calling out for a qualified workforce.”
Ms Saifiti says the government has announced a significant amount of putea for apprenticeships and cadetships in primary industries.
“This partnership puts Tamaki whānau at an advantage to gain access to these initiatives. If our people become builders, carpenters, agriculturalist and farmers post COVID-19. Then this becomes a success, a practical way for our community to recover.”
Mr Bidois says the success of this partnership will not end with Tamaki.
“Tamaki is just the beginning and we hope other tourism partners, local Māori, iwi and wider community will look at getting on this kaupapa with us.”
In 2018, the Tauhara North No.2, purchased Tamaki Māori Village. The Trust is an Ahu Whenua Maori Land Trust within the rohe of Ngati Tahu/Ngati Whaoa. It has commercial assets in energy, farming, health and property.
An official pōhiri will be held on Monday June 22 at 9am, at Tamaki Māori Village, to celebrate the signing and launch of MOU.
END
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