Conference MCs

Astley Nathan (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Hauā) is a friendly & familiar face who has represented some of Aotearoa’s largest media organisations including NZME, Māori Television & TVNZ.

Recently Astley took a year-long break to reconnect with his culture at Te Wānanga Takuira where he found his passion for Te Reo & Te Ao Māori. Astley has set his sights on strengthening his relationship & knowledge of Te Reo Māori & Te Ao Māori in hopes of inspiring others to do the same. You can listen to himself & Shilo Kino on the podcast ‘Back to Kura’ where they share the experiences of full immersion studies & the reclamation of Te Reo Māori.

This is one of Astley’s favourite whakatauki which sums up who & what he stands for:

“Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, Ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tīna.”

Pursue the distant horizon while cherishing the knowledge and learning you attain along the way.

Shaun has worked across the vocational education system for over a decade, including in Aotearoa’s largest PTE, Polytechnic and ITO. All of these roles focused on supporting rangatahi to be successful, while working in a way to disrupt an education system which incentivises competition and is not equitable for all.

Shaun is currently working at the Ministry of Education in a national role of Integration Advisor, Employers, Business and Industry, leading several projects and initiatives that connect schools, communities and employers.

Shaun has a strong interest in the technology sector and collaborating with schools, providers and industry to design work integrated pathways, as all industries navigate and undertake digital transformation, particularly the games industry – making games, creative technologies and e-sports which hold significant influence with rangatahi and play a growing role with how tamariki and rangatahi spend their time, where they socialise and learn. 

Shaun is also a board member for a charitable trust called The Observatory, which was established to support to educate, promote, facilitate and undertake the organisation of corporate, organisational, educational, cultural and community events, workshops and activities, globally for the neurodiverse community.

Mihi Whakatau and Poroporaki

Ko Tapuae o Uenuku te maunga

Ko Waiautoa te awa

Ko Mangamaunu te whenua

Ko Takahanga me Haumi ōku marae 

Ko Marukaitātea me Hohepa ōku whare tīpuna

He uri ahau nō Hawea, Rapuwai Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe, Kāti Kuri, me Kāi Tahu

E noho ana ahau ki Kaikōura

Ko Rosie tōku ingoa

Rosie’s goal is to create spaces where rangatahi can be amongst Te aō Maōri so that they can connect to their identity and stand strong in who they are, wherever they are. Her role as Youth Employability Facilitator at Te Hā o Mātauranga, involves running the Youth Employability Programme and has allowed her to find pathways to see this vision come true.

Rosie is a great contributor to the Youth Employability space, and we are privileged to be having her open the conference with a mihi whakatau and karakia.

Project Manager – Reo Rangatahi, Youth Employability Aotearoa

Kauri is a young person who is passionate about young people. A descendant of the Tainui waka – and hailing from the islands of Tongareva, Avarau, and Tahiti – Kauri centres their work in their indigeneity and authentic self. 

In light of this, Kauri will soon take up a role at the Department of Corrections as Senior Adviser Inclusion & Diversity. Concurrently, Kauri co-leads He Piko He Rangatahi – a Waikato Wellbeing Project initiative – where they have developed a network of more than 60 organisations in the Waikato region to co-design solutions to the barriers that young people face in accessing meaningful opportunities in work and learning.

Keynote speakers

Synopsis of presentation

Nau Mai Te Ānamata: TOMORROW’S SKILLS   

Dr Eruera Tarena (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāī Tūāhuriri, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-a-Apanui) will present his latest research, Nau Mai Te Ānamata, highlighting workplace changes in a world dominated by COVID-19. He believes, that while change has been devastating, particularly for rangatahi Māori and Pasifika, there is optimism and opportunity that potentially wasn’t there prior to COVID-19 and offers a mindset of innovation and forward thinking when looking at this different future. 

Eruera argues for a future that values skill development, interpersonal relationships and continually adding to your kete of skills learned on the job, rather than a singular focus of a qualification, getting the prestigious job and the big pay packet. The concept of a skills approach to employment has the potential to be a major leap forward in creating greater equity in our New Zealand workforce.

Human skills, such as manaakitanga, are becoming the currency of the future. When employers begin to recognise this value, rangatahi will be able to access higher pay levels earlier in their careers. Widening this skillset provides the ability for agility, adaptability and shifting mindsets. As smart machines increasingly take over many of the more manual and routine aspects of jobs, enterprise skills e.g. communication, teamwork and problem-solving will become much more important to building sustainable and resilient career paths. Dr Tarena highlights the hope and future direction many will take.

Dr Eruera will not be available for discussion after his presentation, but has asked Dr Will Flavell to be available for discussion and Q&A in his stead. (We will also work with Dr Eruera to get his response to any comments and questions in the coming weeks after the conference.)

Dr Will (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Whatua, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui) is currently the Kaihautū Māori at Te Hononga Akoranga COMET. Will is an advocate for rangatahi, indigenous issues, and strong communities. He is a former secondary school teacher of te reo Māori and Japanese.

Will’s work has supported mātauranga Māori (knowledge) throughout Aotearoa’s education and teaches the importance of bringing a Māori perspective into society, no matter what the subject is. “It’s exciting to see there are changes to support Māori learners.

Synopsis of presentation

Building youth employability through business leadership and innovative partnership

This talk leverages from Patrick’s experience working across the business and education sectors. He will talk about the role of collaboration and willingness in developing and building successful regional talent pipeline. He will discuss how this work can provide for the ongoing talent needs of employers and support young people on their journey to discover, explore, connect and build the skills necessary for their future employment. Finally, Patrick will talk about his passion of identifying, and connecting people, information, and conversations to opportunities. How to do this and how to empower others to succeed.

Synopsis of presentation

Filling up and sharing the love | aroha mai: aroha atu

Faciltiated by Shirley Johnson, Convenor Youth Employability Aotearoa and Director Youth Employability, COMET Auckland.

The session will be a series of eight insights on what’s working and what else is needed to create a healthy employability skill ecosystem across Aotearoa.

Using the Pecha Kucha concept, each presentation is 20 images each lasting 20 seconds, it aims to be provide short, sharp, informative insights challenging our mind-set and looking to ignite discussion and highlight areas requiring change. See the Pecha Kucha Presenters section below

Synopsis of presentation

Mana Rangatahi: What if rangatahi were in charge of their engagement? 

Kauri Tearaura is a 22-year-old descendant of the Tainui waka and of the islands of Avarau, Tongareva and Tahiti. He is a young Social Innovator from Kirikiriroa Hamilton who also co-leads He Piko He Rangatahi, The Waikato Rangatahi Opportunity under the Waikato Wellbeing Project.

Kauri will share the lived experience of rangatahi within the consultation ecosystem, and within the worlds of education, training and employment. The experiences of these rangatahi will inform the co-creation of a system that captures their voices in a way that is equitable, accurate, and mana-enhancing.

Reo Rangatahi is YEA’s first step to directly partnering, as opposed to consulting, with young people through an innovative for-youth, by-youth approach. By 2030, YEA envisions that all rangatahi in Aotearoa will have the skills and confidence to thrive in the changing world of work, learning and life. This cannot be achieved without young people and Reo Rangatahi looks to have them at the centre of its vision, and it is imperative that they are actively involved at all levels of decision-making.

Closing session

Rachel Hawthorne

Youth Programmes Manager, Prince’s Trust New Zealand

The final session is co-facilitated between Kauri Tearaura and Rachel Hawthorne, providing a real-life example of what authentic co-construction with rangatahi can look like.

The session builds on the fresh insights provided by Kauri and provides us with important principles to consider keeping rangatahi at decision-making tables across Aotearoa. We invite all those attending to consider what is needed, both nationally and in every region across the motu, to enable all contributors in the youth employability sector to learn, share, connect and collaborate with each other. And we ask, how do we best advocate for kaupapa that advance equitable and meaningful futures for all young people. And finally how does YEA best meet your needs and the interests of rangatahi.

Pecha Kucha Presenters

Seed Waikato

Topic: Filling your cup as a Provider – Why & How?

Seed Waikato is a charity that creates space for personal growth opportunities and whanaungatanga for young people in the Waikato.

They love introducing young people to epic speakers, coaches, thought-leaders, healers and facilitators to share their lived experience on topics that matter, and guide youth to discover their gifts lying within. 

Seed Waikato is a community where youth can unlock their hidden potential, learn practical tools that support their wellbeing, and be part of community that dares to be different. 

Topic: Creating and holding a safe sharing space for rangatahi tāne

Sonitani a Youth Worker, Poet, entrepreneur, and ancestor in training, here “to learn how to dismantle and rebuild the systems that continue to suppress the growth and evolution of our rangatahi”. Sonitani is employed by Youthtown as the Program Coordinator for the Youth Employability Program and has been a practicing youth worker for the past 5-6 years. Sonitani has a firm understanding of the inequities that our Pasifika and Maori rangatahi face within the workforce.

Taupō Pathways for Youth Employment

Topic: The practicalities and benefits of structured employability skill building for rangatahi 

Ahere Hapi – Youth Facilitator (left), Gaeleen Wilkie – Manager (middle), Katherine Atkins – Youth Facilitator (right)

Taupō Pathways helps young people reach their full potential and find meaningful employment in our district.

They do this by collaborating with employers and other organisations to provide opportunities for young people to get experience, advice and support to find and keep a job.

Manager Gaeleen Wilkie has had experience in a variety of sectors. During her career she found herself working in a local high school in the Gateway, Trades Academy, transition space.

During this time, she developed a passion for working with young people and completed her Diploma in Career Guidance.  A need was identified for a more structured programme for students who needed help while transitioning from school to the world beyond. Taupō Pathways was formed and Gaeleen has been involved from the start as a trustee. The Licence to Work programme was brought into the high schools. Funding was then gained to work with NEETs and Gaeleen became Taupō Pathway’s Manager.

“It’s a privilege to be part of guiding and empowering young people through the next steps in their journey. They just need someone believe in them and guide them.”

Ahere Hapi has a fresh perspective on the youth space having recently completed her Master’s degree in Anthropology and with a few years of work experience in spaces involving youth, tertiary students and housing. Ahere brings her passion for helping others to navigate through life into her mahi at Taupō Pathways as a Licence to Work facilitator. Ahere believes in having structured skill building opportunities for rangatahi as they develop a regime of learning. 
“The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit”.

Katherine Atkins is a qualified secondary school teacher who has worked across a variety of teaching and learning platforms. 

A passion for facilitating and supporting rangatahi to learn was established early on for Katherine. She knew at the later stages of her high school experience that she wanted to develop a career that focused on supporting and empowering rangatahi.  She was determined to find a platform that reflected this interest. This is when she joined Taupō Pathways to facilitate the Licence to Work Ultimate programme and bring her education background to refine the delivery and structure of the programme.

Eastbay REAP

Topic: A te Ao Māori perspective on youth employability: contextually weaving Māori values through YEP’s key.

Ryan Morrison – CEO, Atawhai Li – Adult Literacy Coordinator, Courtney Andrews – Schools Sector Leader, Melanie Jans – ACE Sector Leader, Lori Fretwell – Social Sector Leader

Eastbay REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) is one of 13 REAPs nationally, developing rural communities through quality lifelong education.  Our responsive approach is led by learners’ experiences and aspirations.  We work with communities to broker, enhance, and provide learning around things like playgroups, early learning, parenting, contextual science, alternative education, youth services, literacy, licensing, computing, Te Reo Māori, life skills and more!  We are committed to the principles of kāwanatanga, manaakitanga, and rangatiratanga (governance, hospitality and integrity). Collaboration, equity, and environmental responsibility underpin our practices.

Topic: Understanding what ‘good’ looks like in youth entrepreneurship initiatives 

Rachel brings over 20 years of experience as an educator in a number of teaching, pastoral and leadership positions to her role with The Prince’s Trust New Zealand. She is involved in design, development, delivery and evaluation across the organisation’s multiple programmes on offer. 

She brings a strengths-based philosophy to her work in providing experiential learning opportunities that build capability in all young people to positively contribute in their communities.

Topic: What’s your problem?? Bridging the gap between rangatahi unemployment and the labour shortage in Aotearoa.

The new MTFJ  (Mayors Taskforce for Jobs) Programme Manager, Emma is exploring ways for their members to better tackle youth unemployment and the current labour shortage. Prior to this role, Emma worked as the Engagement and Partnership Manager for Youth Inspire, a MTFJ partner organisation in Lower Hutt. In this role, she built partnerships with local business, local government, central government, and social service providers, to create employment opportunities for rangatahi. Emma has experience in youth engagement, business development, comms, fundraising, system and process management, and public speaking. 

Outside of work, Emma enjoys walking her dog Fox, reading on the sofa with cat Po, and renovating her house in Lower Hutt with husband Jay. 

Topic: Lalanga Fou – Confident, Thriving and Resilient Pacific Young People

Theresa is passionate about helping young people reach their potential and have access to meaningful pathways into employment. In her 15-year career within government and the education sector, she has created and led multiple national and international youth employment and transition projects, with a particular emphasis on bridging the gap for Māori and Pasifika rangatahi. Theresa is a strong advocate for the value of Pasifika for Pasifika models of service.

Steven has 10 plus years of experience working for IHC and Ministry of Social Development striving on employment and education pathways for youth. 

He has been involved in major youth projects for MSD such as Mana in Mahi and Apprenticeship Boost, as well as leading various youth focused regional projects. 

Steven’s strong passion to care about our Rangatahi early in life and motivate them to pathway into meaningful education and employment options is excellent. He champions holistic models of care and firmly believes Pasifika future and success is yet to be achieved. He considers himself to be blessed for being given the opportunity to work for K’aute Pasifika Trust – who are building the very first pan- Pasifika Hub in New Zealand, expected to be opening later this year. Steven currently leads various Employment and Education projects for K’aute Pasifika and is focused to collaborate with other agencies with similar goals for our Rangatahi.

Topic: Maximising the value of data

Fay is CEO for Youthtown, a 90 year old charitable organisation, with the core purpose of empowering young people to be the best they can be. 

Fay is passionate about potentiality and transformative change. She is a double Master in Psychology and Business Management currently doing her PhD at AUT. Her research is around career indecision, depression and sense of control. 

Laura loves being part of anything to do with building community capacity. Youthtown has been helping young people figure out life since 1932 and Lauran counts it as a privilege to work with the team to present at YEA’s seminar, where they will undertake a collaborative look at their “approach to evaluation”.

Topic: The long game: Building power amongst rangatahi to make workplaces better

Oliver is a trained secondary school teacher with an academic background in sociology and geography. With an MA in Human Geography, Oliver’s research has addressed recent forms of worker organising.

Oliver carries a belief in social change close to his heart, practising this through his involvement in activism and teaching. And most recently, Oliver has been involved in Auckland Action Against Poverty, and outside of the YWRC continues to tutor young people while pursuing interests in health, science fiction and electronic music.