Students leave mark on rebuild

A group of He Toki civil skills students used the Ngā Whāriki Manaaki (Woven Mats of Welcome) series to leave a lasting impression on the city.

The 13 whāriki (weaving patterns) that form Ngā Whāriki Manaaki are a core element of the Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct redevelopment. The whāriki welcome visitors to our city.

The He Toki students were invited to pave one of the whāriki located in the Park of Remembrance by Ōtākaro Limited (formerly CERA).

They placed 3557 ceramic pieces across five days to finish the job and the result has been great says Martin Trusttum from Ōtākaro Limited.

“They’ve done a fantastic job and it seemed like they really enjoyed it. We hope to do more work with He Toki in the future,” says Martin.

He Toki ki te rika is a trades training programme for young Māori that brings together the strengths, knowledge, expertise, capability and networks of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Te Tapuae o Rehua, Hawkins Group and Ara Institute of Canterbury.

The whāriki are designed by Ngāi Tahu weaving artists Reihana Parata and Morehu Flutey-Henare with technical support from artist Wayne Youle.

This particular whāriki at the Park of Remembrance represents whakapapa, intergenerational learning and different pathways in life.

Kym Hamilton, Programme Manager, He Toki, says the programme is about ensuring Māori have tools for life.

“He Toki is committed to ensuring Māori are supported through education and employment. We do this by helping whānau to get into trades training and apprentices which will in turn set them up for life,” says Kym.

He Toki students standing over the whāriki they paved.

He Toki students standing over the whāriki they paved.

40 Māori apprentices for He Toki

He Toki Apprenticeship Trust, a local social enterprise, has successfully recruited 40 apprentices for construction sector employers in a little over a year.

He Toki Trust Manager, Hemi Inia, attributes the successful recruitment to the partnerships
He Toki has built with local employers.

“He Toki has been lucky enough to work with 10 exemplary employers who are committed to employing young local Māori,” he says.

“He Toki works with employers to ensure our apprentices have the tools to start work and are ready to be part of your team,” says Hemi.

According to Eruera Tarena, Chief Executive for Te Tapuae o Rehua, the feedback He Toki has been receiving from employers has been inspiring.

“We have received feedback from employers that our apprentices are really adding value on site and are
contributing to the development of stronger teams,” says Eru.
“Employers are also telling us they are really appreciating the diversity that our men and women are bringing to the work sites.”

He Toki Apprenticeship Trust is a consortium that brings together the strengths, knowledge, expertise, capability and networks of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Te Tapuae o Rehua, Hawkins Group and Ara Institute of Canterbury. The Patron is Tā Mark Solomon.

“The programme is about ensuring Māori have tools for life,” says Eru.

“Our goal is to create more Māori leadership across the trades and construction sector in Christchurch, New Zealand and the world.”

In June He Toki held a chiefs breakfast at Rehua Marae with local industry leaders to recognise the great work He Toki has undertaken over the past five years in trades training and apprenticeships. The breakfast gave participants the opportunity to network with other industry leaders and hear from the partner organisations.

Eru speaking at the industry leaders breakfast at Rehua Marae.

Eru speaking at the industry leaders breakfast at Rehua Marae.

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