Pasifika Trades Training Awards Presentation

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, Ngai Tahu,  tēnā koutou katoa.

E ngā iwi e huihui nei i tēnei rā, tēnā hoki koutou.

This is such an amazing complex. 

I always love coming here – the beauty, the majesty, the awesome feeling of being in this wharenui.  I always think of the late great Monte Ohia and his passion for mātauranga Māori. 

And I love all the carvings of Tānenuiārangi - the poupou in front of this building reminding us of the journey of Tāne climbing to the heavens to gather the sacred baskets of knowledge - a story of perseverance and determination to overcome adversity - and dedication to learning.

It is, therefore, the perfect facility for celebrating the progress already seen with the Pasifika Trades Training consortium.

I want to thank Kay Giles, the Chief Executive of Christchurch Polytechnic and Hana O’Regan, Dean of Te Puna Wanaka for your generosity in hosting this event today.

I particularly acknowledge Reverend Fitifiti Luatua for your introduction and all of the Pasifika Church Ministers who have blessed this event with your presence today.

When we look around us today we can see represented many of the Pasifika organisations who are partners with CPIT for this Pasifika Trades Training initiative as well as Allied Workforce Trades who are the employer partner in this initiative.

And of course all the dedicated team of staff and tutors and the wonderful group of students who make this training so worthwhile.

Today we are recognising 39 students who have demonstrated the outstanding commitment and hard work to develop the skills necessary for them to lead off into the future.

What all of us realise here, is that the face of our future is increasingly yours – our fortunes as a nation will rely on the expertise and efforts of Māori, Pasifika and Asian.

This training programme has been designed specifically to respond to the aspirations and priorities of young Māori and Pasifika students within the workforce.

It is about providing a network of support and effective strategies to address the fact that for many of our young people the education system has not provided them with the opportunities they need to meet the demands of our market.

When the Māori Party entered into a relationship with the Government, an absolute priority for us was to establish jobs - to create training incentives and most important of all to respond to the needs of young people just like all of you – our young leaders who deserve every opportunity to have a great career.

This training programme delivers on that goal to improve opportunities in education and employment for young Maori and Pasifika – to enable you to build a really strong foundation for your future achievements.

What I like most about this trades training programme is that collaboration is at the heart of the programme.  It’s about strong partnerships which have supported all our students, and which will also help to provide a strong platform for growth beyond the scope of today.

As residents of this city, your contribution to the rebuild of Christchurch is desperately needed.   The trades training scheme is an innovative way to ensure our education and training system is flexible enough to enable all of our young people to succeed in both education and employment.  

It is tailor-made for this city, it is tailor made for both the Pasifika trades students and the students from He Toki ki te Rika.

I am so very proud of what has been achieved here.  It is not just about developing innovative plans to respond to the needs of the Christchurch rebuild and the demand from construction related trades. 

It is not just about the relationships between employers and ITOS to support the transition of learners into work - as important as that is.

Most of all I want to recognise and to thank the families of the 39 graduates who have done all that they can to enable their loved ones to live the dream - to take up every opportunity to craft out a strong future.

Thank you to everyone who has made this day possible.   I wish you the greatest success in whatever your next challenge will be.