Pae Aronui will provide $15 million over four years aimed at rangatahi Māori that are not in

education, employment or training (NEET) or are at risk of falling into those situations.
Te Puni Kōkiri are now seeking innovative approaches from providers or employers that
have the capability and experience to support Māori rangatahi to achieve their learning and
employment outcomes.

Pae Aronui will focus on Auckland (South and West), Hamilton and Wellington (Porirua and
the Hutt Valley), as these areas have the highest number of young people, as well as the
highest projected employment growth.

“Too many of our rangatahi have exited the education system without the qualifications they
need to get good jobs. Helping these rangatahi and their whānau figure out what options
they have to achieve and pursue their aspirations is critical,” Nicky Birch says.

“We want our rangatahi to take advantage of the significant employment opportunities
forecast in the next 3-10 years. We also want them to realise their own aspirations, and not
be stuck in a job for the sake of having a job,” she says.

“Pae Aronui offers us an opportunity to improve the profile of Māori in the labour market.
Rather than being over-represented in low-skilled occupations and industries vulnerable to
economic changes, we want more Māori in higher-skilled roles in growth industries,” she
says.

A Request for Proposals will be advertised on the Government’s Electronic Tenders Service
(GETS) on Thursday 20 December 2018. Potential providers will have until Monday 4
February 2019 to submit a proposal. 

“I look forward to seeing a mix of approaches, and hearing about the improved outcomes
rangatahi are achieving, and the impacts of these for rangatahi and their whānau”, says
Nicky Birch.

Media Contact:
Debra Jensen 021 332 627 debra.jensen@tpk.govt.nz