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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sustainable growth relies on trusted partnerships that serve both community and industry.Action: Formalise partnerships with iwi around local projects, co-develop regional workforce plans, and prioritise Māori employment outcomes in procurement and contracting.
Create an environment where Māori feel comfortable being themselves. Embed te ao Māori values like manaakitanga (care and respect), wairuatanga (spiritual wellbeing), and kotahitanga (unity) into your team culture.
Strategy: Provide cultural competency training for employees, respect Māori tikanga on-site, and support participation in iwi and whānau events.
Get familiar with principles from Te Ao Māori, the Māori worldview from MBIE.
Retention improves when personal, cultural, and social needs are supported alongside professional development.
Strategy: Offer access to mental health support, transport assistance, mentoring, flexible work arrangements, and space for whānau involvement.
Visit Mates in Construction.
Māori workers tend to stay longer when they see genuine opportunities for growth. Support ongoing learning, recognition, and leadership pathways.
Strategy: Offer funded training or certifications, create Māori leadership pipelines, and promote Māori into supervisory roles.
Consider offering the NZ Certificate in Leadership.
Boost retention by acknowledging the value Māori bring to your business and the sector.
Strategy: Celebrate Māori successes internally, mark significant events like Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and Matariki, and actively incorporate Māori perspectives into projects and planning.
Visit Te Hōno Health & Safety for the workplace
Retention strengthens when businesses maintain meaningful relationships with Māori communities.
Strategy: Work with iwi to co-design training and employment programmes, invite iwi feedback on retention practices, and stay connected to local kaupapa Māori initiatives.
Read Te Waihanga Strengthening Māori Partnerships
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.
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.
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