Cadetships

Te Puni Kōkiri Cadetships programme supports employers to develop, mentor and train their permanent Māori staff at all career stages.  The aim is to bolster Māori-owned businesses, and other employers, to be more highly skilled and resilient to economic shocks. 

The programme, which has been operating since 2010, received $22.7 million in the 2020 Budget over three years.

Cadetships case studies

Read more about how the Cadetships programme is improving employment outcomes for Māori across a range of industries.

Ngāti Toa Cadets helping to empower their iwi

Ngāti Toa Rangatira have partnered with Te Puni Kōkiri to deliver a successful Cadetships programme for 38 cadets that focuses on developing the iwi and the skills of its people.

Working their way to the top with Cadetships

In a smoko room in Hawkes Bay hang a series of framed staff achievements. Plenty more certificates have been proudly added to the walls of this Māori owned contracting firm in the past year, due to the Te Puni Kōkiri Cadetships programme.

 

KiwiRail’s leadership programme just the ticket for kaimahi Māori

A Māori leadership course run by KiwiRail is just the ticket for both the company and its employees. It’s so successful that it has been fast tracked to become KiwiRail’s number one development programme.

 

Te Hononga: Connecting NZ Post’s Māori leaders through Cadetships

NZ Post is known for connecting people with what they care about. But it’s also connecting Māori staff with their full potential thanks to a partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri.

Working ‘on’ the business instead of ‘in’ it

Making gains in the gym’ is the challenging goal set by the owners of a holistic health centre in Waikato. But the ‘new year, new you' goal isn’t just for clients, it is also for the business itself and staff.

Iwi radio station grows homegrown media production

The South Island’s only iwi radio station has had to adapt to new ways of telling stories online, on-air and on the ground.

View more Cadetship stories

How do Cadetships work?

The Cadetships programme supports employers developing cadets for at least six months, in permanent jobs. Employers can receive up to $10,000 for each cadet, but they must commit to their structured and tailored mentoring, training and development.

Cadetships have demonstrated a positive impact on Māori earnings, skills and employability, and improve business productivity.

How do employers apply?

Employers can find the Funding Guidelines and Application Form here [DOCX 368KB].

For more information and to discuss the Cadetships programme contact your nearest Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Office.

Frequently asked questions

View Frequently Asked Questions here

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