ATT began discussions with Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust in November 2022 about the work they are doing in the Far North strengthening and enabling their community by hosting the Iwi-Crown Joint Work Programme.
Work had already begun on developing a 12-month Tupu Plumbing Programme, designed to support local iwi and respond to a workforce shortfall inhibiting the Te Aupōuri led Puna Wai Ora –Te Hiku Drought Relief Programme with installing water tanks. Driven by a need for a trained workforce, this was an opportunity to create a workforce pipeline for youth not in employment, education or training (NEETs) and job seekers into the plumbing and drainlaying fields.
Te Hiku ō Te Ika Iwi Development Trust is a Charitable Trust formed in 2013 by the Iwi Chairs Ngāti Takoto, Te Aupōuri and Te Rarawa.
The Joint Work Programme (JWP) is locally led, regionally enabled, and centrally supported. The JWP is a co-governance, shared decision-making model between Iwi and the Crown.
Led by Te Aupōuri, Tupu Plumbing is a 12-month level 2 qualification that is an ‘earn while you learn’ model that works under a group employer model. Six participants have started in Cohort 1. Justine Purchase is the Tupu Plumbing Project Manager leading the operations of the programme, alongside Clayton Wiki who is the Te Aupōuri General Manager overseeing the Iwi’s role in delivering the programme.
Te Aupōuri is the second northernmost Māori iwi, located north of Kaitāia, in Northland, New Zealand, a region known as Te Hiku ō te Ika.
ATT shares the vision of Te Hiku Iwi driving collaborative programmes and shared outcomes that improve the overall wellbeing of whānau. We are proud to have partnered under a collective agreement in December 2023 and are committed to providing pastoral care to Tauira – Rangatahi and consulting support where needed to the Tupu Plumbing programme team.
By taking the experience we have in managed apprenticeships, our intention is to guide and support this 12-month programme collaboratively. A supported pathway to the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying Industry under the supervision of a Certified Plumber and Navigator.
For participants that wish to continue beyond the Tupu Plumbing Programme, an application to an apprenticeship in the PGD trades through ATT will be the next steps in this journey.
We look forward to working with Te Aupōuri and Tupu Plumbing, and sharing the journey and outcomes with you and the Tupu Plumbing cohort.
