We had the pleasure of all our staff and Council members gathering together in our Wellington office on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th May.

We had the pleasure of all our staff and Council members gathering together in our Wellington office on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th May. This was the first time that we have all been able to meet kanohi ki te kanohi as we grow, and amidst COVID-19 and travel restrictions, since the WDCs were stood up in October 2021.

Turi Ngatai (Ngāi te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui), a member of our Council and Ohu Mahi kaumatua, and our Poutiaki Pahekoheko, Maori Engagement Lead, James Hamiora (Te Arawa) lead a mihi whakatau on Thursday morning, while our Chief Executive Jeremy Baker zoom-ed in from home. This was followed by valuable staff time and an all-day Council meeting.

On Friday we embarked on the Wall Walk, an interactive workshop focusing on the relationship between Māori and the Crown. Understanding the events and policies of the history of bicultural relations in Aotearoa helps us understand our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our engagement with Māori and in all our mahi.

The whakatauki for the Wall Walk is ‘Hoki whakamuri, kia anga whakamua’ – Look to the past to help forge the future. This was echoed by Erin Simpson, our Chair, in acknowledging the work in vocational education that has come before us. This, along with new insights from food and fibre sector industry leaders, will inform our work to enhance vocational education to meet industry needs.