Labour will invest $21 million a year in Māori-led training that helps more whānau Māori gain skills and move into good, well-paid work.
- By Māori, for Māori. Māori providers backed to design and deliver training that works for their communities and local employers
- Skills that lead to jobs. Practical training linked to real jobs and recognised qualifications
- Earn and get ahead. Helping people move into secure, paid work and gain skills that lead to better pay
- Support to succeed. Mentoring and practical support to complete training, get into work and stay in work
- Open to Māori of all ages - for people looking for a way into work, wanting to retrain, or wanting a better job
- Costed at $21 million a year, funded through reprioritisation and existing baselines in Budget 2027
Labour will support more whānau Māori to gain skills, get into secure work and build a better future.
Labour will back kaupapa Māori training delivered by marae, iwi trusts and Māori providers, working with local employers to connect people with real jobs. Training will combine practical skills with mentoring and support, helping people get into work, stay in work and gain qualifications that help them get ahead.
Why it matters
Labour will build a country where everyone who works hard has the chance to get ahead. Right now, too many Māori are missing out on the opportunity that comes with good, well-paid, skilled work.
Māori unemployment is more than double the national rate. More than one in ten Māori are unemployed, and around one in five rangatahi Māori aged 15 to 24 are not in work, education, or training.
Under the current Government, around 40,000 more people are unemployed nationally, and an estimated 2,000 people are leaving New Zealand every week.
There is a better way. Marae, iwi and Māori providers know their people and their communities. They know the local employers who need workers, and they know what support people need to succeed. Labour will back them to help more Māori gain skills and move into good jobs.
When people get the right training and support, they can get into work, earn more and build a future for themselves and their whānau.
How it works
Māori providers will be backed to deliver training that leads to work.
- By Māori, for Māori. Māori providers will design and deliver training that works for their communities and local employers.
- Skills that lead to jobs. Practical training linked to real jobs and qualifications.
- Earn and get ahead. Helping people move into secure, paid work and gain skills that can lead to better pay.
- Support to succeed. Mentoring and practical support to help people complete their training, get into work and stay in work.
- Open to Māori of all ages. For people looking for a way into work, wanting to retrain, or wanting a better job.
Providers will be able to apply for funding through a contestable fund to design and deliver programmes around the skills local employers need.
A smart investment in people
Backing Māori to gain skills and get into good work is good for whānau, good for businesses, and good for New Zealand.
We know Māori-led trades training works. An earlier programme under the previous Labour Government helped people move from unemployment, casual work and lower-skilled jobs into more secure, skilled work. It also helped people gain industry qualifications.
The benefits went beyond a pay packet. More than 80 percent of participants said the programme helped them better manage their health and wellbeing, while more than 90 percent said it had a positive impact on their whānau.
Of the 2,978 people who took part in the previous programme before it was cut, 72 percent were in work by September 2024, and nearly three-quarters of those were in permanent jobs.
Which industries will be covered
A wide range of industries will be covered, based on where people are needed. Under the previous programme, construction was the largest sector, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing, and healthcare and social assistance. Labour's plan will connect training opportunities with real jobs in local communities.
The next Labour Government will build on that success so more Māori get the opportunity to get ahead. Every person who gains skills, gets a good job, and earns more can build a stronger future for themselves and their whānau, and New Zealand gets more of the skilled people it needs.
Investing in the future
Labour will establish a contestable, grant-based fund for Māori providers to design and deliver employment-focused training programmes.
The programme is fully costed at $21 million a year. It will be funded through reprioritisation and existing baselines in Budget 2027, and will start soon after that. Māori providers already have experience delivering this kind of training, so support can move quickly to communities and people into training.
How does the programme work?
Labour will invest in Māori-led training that helps people gain skills and move into good work. Māori providers will be backed to deliver practical training linked to real jobs, with mentoring and support to help people complete their training, get into work and stay in work. The focus is skills that lead to jobs, better pay, and a stronger future for whānau.
Why is Labour doing this?
Too many Māori are missing out on the security and opportunities that come with good work. Māori unemployment is more than double the national rate. We also know this approach works: of the 2,978 people who took part in the previous programme that National cut, 72 percent were in work by September 2024, and nearly three-quarters of those were in permanent jobs. Labour will build on what works and back more Māori into skilled, secure work.
Which trades are covered?
A wide range of industries will be covered, based on where people are needed. Under the previous programme, construction was the largest sector, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing, and healthcare and social assistance. Labour's plan will connect training opportunities with real jobs in local communities.
When will it start?
The programme will be running as soon as possible after Budget 2027. Māori providers already have experience delivering this kind of training, so support can move quickly to communities and people into training.
Who will benefit, and how many?
The programme will be open to Māori of all ages, focused on people who need a pathway into work, want to retrain, or need extra support to get into a secure job and stay there. The previous programme attracted more applications than could be funded, showing strong demand.
How much will it cost, and how have you worked it out?
Labour has costed the programme at $21 million a year, based on the cost of delivering the previous programme. It will be paid for through existing government funding and reprioritisation.
This is a practical investment in people, helping more Māori gain skills, earn more and build a future here at home.
Backing Māori to learn, earn and build a future here at home.
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