Iwi partnership focussed on opportunities for Ma¯ori youth
A Manawatu¯ iwi hopes a new partnership with power transmission company Transpower will lead to opportunities for its youth.
Nga¯ti Kauwhata, which is based in Feilding, has just signed a formal arrangement with Transpower about the two groups working together.
Iwi representative Dennis Emery said Transpower was going to bring more power pylons through the area and the agreement would assist people from the iwi to start work in the industry.
‘‘We’re looking for opportunities for our rangatahi (youth) to be in the electricity industry in training and employment ... we want our kids to learn about that business.’’
Since Covid-19 the iwi has been looking for more job opportunities for its young people and this was a way of helping more young Ma¯ori into jobs.
Emery said Transpower would help students with scholarships to work with the company.
Transpower’s high-voltage transmission network has been in Nga¯ti Kauwhata’s tribal boundaries for generations.
The Bunnythorpe substation was built in 1924 and is a key transmission interconnection point, helping shift power north or south.
Transpower chief executive Alison Andrew said the agreement formalised what was already a warm relationship.
‘‘We’ve been here for a while, but of course not as long as Nga¯ti Kauwhata, and we wanted to more formally ensure that we reflect on our connection in the past and ensure we sustain that connection for the future.
‘‘It’s about ensuring we’re continuing to talk because through talk comes opportunity, opportunity to work together on areas of common interest, whether it’s on New Zealand’s zero-carbon future, or employment pathways within Transpower and wider electricity sector for Nga¯ti Kauwhata rangatahi.’’