UNLEASHING PACIFIC TALENT
to meet construction and infrastructure demands, while cultivating an environment where the Pacific workforce and enterprises are valued, respected and thriving.
Pacific people in C&I workforce, 2022
(7.1% of the overall C&I workforce)
Pacific Enterprises, 2022
(includes business and sole traders)
of C&I learners are of Pacific descent, 2022
Thriving Pacific Workforce and Businesses
Guided by the industry's leo (voice), these recommendations support the needs and aspirations of Pacific people, sector leaders, and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, recognising our young, growing population's rich potential, ready to be unleashed. Focused on four priority areas, the Plan aims to ensure that Pacific people in the sector thrive now and in the future.
Priority Areas & Recommendations
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
Industry Leo – Sector Voice Summary
Industry Leo combines voices from Pacific across the Construction and Infrastructure sectors, through 30 talanoa-style interviews. Themes were identified through thematic analysis, providing a summary of key insights.
Cultural understanding and values
Acceptance and understanding of Pacific culture, principles and values are fundamental, shaping individuals' sense of belonging and purpose. Often lone representatives in professional settings, Pacific individuals face challenges in maintaining their identity without peer support.
Pacific leadership emphasises service, community, and collectivism, highlighting key soft skills essential for successful leaders. Embracing Pacific leadership qualities and lived experiences, including cultural understanding and family-centric values, is vital for their wellbeing and success. Embracing these principles makes workplaces inclusive, cultures richer, and drives collective progress and advancement.
Perception and influencers
Pacific individuals' educational and career paths are heavily influenced by parents, family, and communities, often favouring tertiary education and related fields over vocational trades. Limited knowledge of the Construction and Infrastructure (C&I) sector hinders access to a skilled Pacific talent pool. Challenging these ingrained perceptions is crucial for diversifying career pathways for Pacific communities.
Family and community networks are one of the key entry points for Pacific people, fostering generational ties and increasing sector participation. Targeted initiatives are necessary to reshape perceptions and emphasise the viability and value of vocational trades and the C&I sector, within Pacific communities.
Sector and workplace environment
Relationship building is essential to create environments where Pacific people feel comfortable and thrive. Applying the Polynesian concept of "Tauhi Va," which underscores mutual respect and reciprocity, offers insight into how Pacific cultural values, principles, and customs manifest in a workplace setting.
Businesses employing diverse strategies to foster inclusive environments and acknowledge practical skills, irrespective of formal qualifications, cultivate a strong sense of loyalty among Pacific individuals, resulting in increased retention rates.
Amplifying success stories of Pacific leaders and businesses in the sector, will be pivotal in attracting Pacific individuals to the sector, guiding their career paths, and assisting them in navigating organisational culture and networks.
Education and training
Pacific people have a strong preference for practical and work-based learning. The ability to be assessed in alternative ways to certify skills are needed. The use of industry terminology with no jargon could help increase the numbers of those who undertake, continue and complete formal training and qualifications.
Culturally relevant curriculum and micro-credentials provide flexibility for Pacific learners, while clearer promotion of career pathways increases sector appeal. Success relies on supportive educators and community collaboration, rooted in cultural values of care and familiarity.
Building on Pacific businesses
Fostering and building on Pacific business growth requires addressing barriers, providing tailored support, and leveraging social procurement to advance greater economic participation.
Smaller Pacific enterprises, especially sole traders, face significant hurdles in navigating the business landscape due to inadequate support and mentorship. Procurement challenges further impede their growth, compounded by limited resources and implicit biases.
Pacific business owners highlight the vital role of community relationships in fostering collaboration and achieving success. An accessible Pacific Commerce and Industry business directory would enhance collaboration by addressing the time constraints that hinder networking efforts.
Despite financial and time constraints, Pacific businesses continue to invest in their communities, embodying cultural principles and service to communities through uplifting Pacific individuals and communities.
System-wide leadership and partnerships
Pacific individuals' educational and career trajectories are deeply shaped by systemic experiences and cultural values. Recognising and addressing systemic barriers is essential given they affect Pacific communities from an early stage, often resulting in disparities in learning and career experiences.
The persistence of challenges like Pacific overrepresentation in low skilled roles highlights the ineffectiveness of traditional approaches. Collaboration between Pacific businesses, industry and government is essential to enhance existing support and funding mechanisms to achieve desired outcomes.
Successful ‘by Pacific for Pacific’ and community-led responses, demonstrate how alternative approaches can support Government and industry with sustainable solutions. Coordination among training providers, businesses, communities, and government is essential for addressing current and future sector needs and promoting increased participation from the Pacific community.