Overview
Māori play a vital role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure sectors — both as part of the workforce and through the Māori economy. Supporting Māori success is essential to building a thriving industry.
By valuing Māori talent and enterprises, we can meet sector demands while creating an environment where Māori are respected, empowered, and able to succeed.
We’re pleased to share practical resources to help you attract, grow and retain Māori talent in your workforce and business.
Māori working in C&I in 2023
Māori C&I learners enrolled 2023
Māori enterprises 2023
Watch these case studies about Māori, their journeys, and learn why culture is important.
The Māori Economy
The Māori economy is thriving, driven by strategic investment, strong iwi leadership, and a commitment to intergenerational prosperity. Iwi-led ventures across Aotearoa New Zealand signal that Māori are open for business locally, nationally and globally. Read about one example of this, the Ruakura Superhub.
People are at the heart of the Māori economy. As demand grows in construction and infrastructure, it’s more important than ever to build a skilled and qualified Māori workforce — including employees, businesses, and iwi.
How to Attract Māori Talent
1
Create a culturally-grounded, supportive environment.
Māori talent thrives in workplaces that reflect their values and culture. Incorporate whanaungatanga (strong relationships), manaakitanga (care and respect), and te ao Māori into your culture.
Action: Open meetings with karakia, celebrate Matariki, provide wellbeing support, and offer staff training in cultural competency.
2
Build education-to-employment pathways.
Partner with schools, iwi, and training providers to make the journey into the industry clear and supported.
Action: Offer site visits for rangatahi, paid internships, or cadetships that directly lead to jobs.
3
Collaborate with Māori-led partners
Support iwi and Māori organisations leading workforce development in their rohe.
Action: Subcontract to Māori-owned businesses, back kaupapa Māori pre-trade programmes, and invite iwi input into your workforce planning.
4
Celebrate Māori role models.
Representation matters. When Māori see themselves reflected in your team and marketing, they are more likely to engage.
Action: Feature Māori employees in job ads and social media, promote through Māori networks, and highlight how your work supports communities and whenua.
5
Offer practical support & career progression.
Remove barriers to entry and show clear career growth opportunities.
Action: Provide starter kits (including tools, safety gear, and driver licensing), offer apprenticeships with mentoring, and create leadership pathways for Māori employees.
High-impact actions to help employers
Growing Māori Talent
Growing Māori talent to advance in the construction and infrastructure industry requires a broader approach that extends beyond recruitment and retention. It involves creating long-term development pathways that build Māori talent, leadership, and ownership within the sector. By investing in Māori talent and leadership, innovation, and long-term development, your organisation contributes to a stronger, more resilient construction and infrastructure sector and a future where Māori talent can thrive at every level of the industry.
1. Support Māori into leadership and ownership roles
Growth happens when Māori can influence and lead. Enable Māori to move from workers to decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and project leads.
Action: Create leadership development programmes, sponsor Māori employees to pursue business qualifications, and offer support for Māori to establish their own contracting or consultancy businesses.
2. Embed kaupapa Māori in workforce planning
Ensure Māori worldviews, values, and aspirations shape the future of your workforce.
Action: Co-design workforce strategies with iwi and hapū, align projects with Māori social and economic goals, and embed tikanga Māori in governance and planning.
3. Champion Māori-led innovation and solutions
Māori have unique knowledge and approaches that can strengthen the industry. Promote Māori-led innovations in sustainability, design, and infrastructure delivery.
Action: Fund Māori research and prototypes, include mātauranga Māori in project planning, and showcase Māori-led initiatives in industry events and media.
4. Build long-term education and training pipelines
Invest in developing Māori talent from early stages through to advanced qualifications.
Action: Partner with kura, wharekura, and iwi education providers to build early exposure to trades; offer scholarships, cadetships, and higher-level learning pathways for Māori workers.
5. Strengthen industry–Iwi partnerships for systemic impact
Sustainable growth relies on trusted partnerships that serve both community & industry.
Action: Formalise partnerships with iwi around local projects, co-develop regional workforce plans, and prioritise Māori employment outcomes in procurement and contracting.
Strategies for Retaining a Māori Workforce
Workforce Development Plan for Māori in Construction & Infrastructure
The recommendations in the Māori Workforce Development Plan for Construction & Infrastructure support the needs and aspirations of Māori people, sector leaders, and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, recognising the rich potential of our young, growing population, which is ready to be unleashed. Focused on four priority areas, the Plan aims to ensure that Māori in the sector thrive now and in the future.
Attracting, growing and retaining Māori talent
Other Useful Resources
Māori Insights at WIP.org.nz
Using this live tool you can get valuable information to support your Māori workforce. Covering everything from worker retention rates to current learner numbers, interact with the data to discover trends and insights about the Māori construction and infrastructure workforce.