About He Ara Mahi Hou
He Ara Mahi Hou was established to support whenua Māori owners and agribusinesses to develop their workforces.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) funded 16 projects worth $1.55 million in 2021 as part of a pilot.
The initiatives supported:
- cadetships
- leadership opportunities
- programmes targeting schools and rangatahi
- online learning
- basic skills training for new employees.
Why the programme is needed
He Ara Mahi Hou invests in initiatives that support Māori agribusinesses to develop a skilled and resilient workforce.
It is supporting whenua Māori entities, and the wider food and fibre sector, to:
- create sustainable employment opportunities for Māori
- entice rangatahi to work in the sector
- identify opportunities to provide workforce skills and training initiatives.
What the programme will do
Budget 2022 allocated $5.3 million over 4 years to build on the mahi achieved in the pilot.
The programme aims to:
- create new employment and training opportunities within the Māori primary sector
- increase job opportunities on whenua Māori
- address specific skills shortages
- support Māori primary sector productivity
- support Māori entities to become accredited providers of NZQA qualifications and training.
What you need to take part
He Ara Mahi Hou considers applications for funding on a regular basis.
To be eligible for support, applicants must:
- be a Māori agribusiness entity or kaupapa Māori entity that supports Māori upskilling in the primary sector
- demonstrate work is available for people undergoing training
- link trainees to job opportunities that meet the needs of Māori agribusinesses
- be appropriately resourced to undertake the initiative
- be prepared to commit the time required to drive the initiative.
He Ara Mahi Hou – Applicant guidelines [PDF, 307 KB]
How to apply
He Ara Mahi Hou applicants should outline how their initiative or project will:
- address a specific skills shortage and demonstrate demand for the skills developed
- increase job opportunities on whenua Māori
- contribute to increasing local employment, wages, and career pathways
- create new employment and training opportunities within the Māori primary sector
- deliver the initiative within the timeframe
- be financially viable for future years
- support Māori primary sector productivity.
Applications will also be assessed for alignment with government priorities. Your initiative does not have to meet all the criteria outlined. However, we want your initiative to show that you have considered each benefit area.
To begin your application, talk to your regional kaimahi (adviser) to see if your proposal meets the eligibility and assessment criteria.
Case study
Nurturing the next generation of agri-business leaders [PDF, 2.2 MB]
Who to contact
To find out more or have a kōrero with your regional kaimahi, email maoriagribusiness@mpi.govt.nz
