As political parties sharpen their election promises on jobs and skills, broadcaster and commentator Matthew Tukaki says New Zealand has a unique opportunity to rebuild its skilled workforce by placing apprenticeships and trade training at the centre of the country’s economic strategy.
Speaking on Radio Waatea, Tukaki said vocational education should no longer be viewed as a second-choice pathway, but as one of the country’s most important investments in productivity, economic resilience and whānau wellbeing.
His comments come as Labour has pledged to expand the Apprenticeship Boost programme, promising greater support for employers, funded mentoring and practical assistance for apprentices as part of its workforce strategy.
Tukaki said New Zealand has spent too long promoting university education as the default pathway while failing to properly value trades that literally build the nation.
From carpenters and electricians to plumbers, mechanics, engineers and infrastructure workers, he argued the country cannot deliver the homes, hospitals, schools and transport projects it needs without a pipeline of skilled apprentices.
He also believes apprenticeships are one of the most effective ways to address youth unemployment by giving school leavers a direct route into well-paid careers without accumulating significant student debt.
For Māori communities, the opportunity is even greater.
Tukaki has consistently advocated for stronger Māori participation in vocational education, saying trade qualifications provide long-term employment, higher incomes and opportunities for whānau to establish businesses and create intergenerational wealth. He has previously highlighted public support for reviving dedicated Māori trade training pathways similar to the former Māori Affairs Trade Trainee Programme, modernised to meet today’s workforce needs.
He says the challenge is not simply getting more young people into training, but ensuring they complete their apprenticeships through strong mentoring, pastoral care and sustained support from employers and training providers.
Construction, manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure continue to face skills shortages despite softer economic conditions, while Māori remain significantly represented in the construction workforce. Tukaki says apprenticeships should be viewed as part of a broader economic development strategy rather than simply an education policy.
He also argues that greater collaboration between government, iwi, industry and unions is needed to create clearer pathways from school into employment, particularly in regional communities where skilled workers are in high demand.
As the election campaign gathers pace, Tukaki says whichever party forms the next government must commit to long-term investment in apprenticeships that survives beyond a single parliamentary term.
He believes the return on investment extends well beyond employment statistics.
Every apprentice who completes their training strengthens the country’s productive capacity, helps meet infrastructure demand and creates opportunities for future generations to thrive.
For Tukaki, rebuilding New Zealand’s trades workforce is about more than filling vacancies.
It is about restoring pride in vocational careers, creating genuine opportunities for rangatahi and ensuring Aotearoa has the skilled people needed to build its future.
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