Pacific young people living in the Hawke’s Bay, Southland and Otago regions will have access to support services that have proved successful in helping young people find new earning and learning opportunities.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Aupito William Sio says Tupu Aotearoa is about changing Pacific young peoples’ lives.
“Our young people are talented, they are smart, they are creative, and they have enormous potential,” he says.
“Some just need a little extra help to get where they need to be and Tupu Aotearoa is there to provide help and support young people to fulfil their potential.”
Until recently, Tupu Aotearoa has only been available to Pacific young people living in parts of Auckland and Hamilton.
However, this year, thanks to the support of the Provincial Growth Fund, the programme has been expanded to regions around the country.
Tupu Aotearoa empowers young people to enhance their skills, kick-start their career prospects and earn a good living,” the Minister says.
“I am excited Pacific young people living in Hawke’s Bay, Southland and Otago will now have access to this support.”
Minister Sio’s recent announcement follows one made in July when he announced Tupu Aotearoa had been expanded to cover greater Waikato, Manawatū-Whanganui and Bay of Plenty regions.
The new providers in the Hawke’s Bay, Southland and Otago completes the list of those which will deliver the regional Tupu Aotearoa programme.
“Tupu Aotearoa is helping Pacific young people turn their potential into prosperity and build confidence for their future,” Minister Sio says.
“Our success has been considerable and has laid the foundations for us to meet our vision of thriving, prosperous Pacific communities.
“This is bringing benefits not only to the people we have helped, but to their families and local communities because when people have access to work and learning opportunities our communities flourish.”
Four organisations - Pacific Trust Otago; SENZ Charitable Trust; Kings Force Health Charitable Trust; and Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group have been approved to provide Tupu Aotearoa services in Hawke’s Bay, and the Southland and Otago regions.
Each new provider has signed a collaboration agreement with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
Aotearoa New Zealand is changing, and its future economic growth will depend on the hard-work and skill of the people, and the partnership that exists between government, business and the working population to create wealth, Minister Sio continues.
“I want wealth creation to be understood as a collective process, and Tupu Aotearoa is about equipping more Pacific young people to be part of this.”
In addition to support from the Provincial Growth Fund, Budget 2019 allocated $14.5 million to extend Tupu Aotearoa even further to cover wider Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.