New event series explores opportunities for region’s Pacific peoples
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is set to shine a light on the contribution of Pacific peoples to its economy and opportunities to lift their engagement and prosperity at the Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series: Enabling a future ready workforce event at Aotea Centre today.
Hosted by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the region’s economic and cultural agency, in partnership with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Enabling a future ready workforce – the first event in the Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series – brings together leaders from the Pacific community with business, industry, and local and central government to foster conversation and action to support Auckland’s Pacific peoples to have economic choice and live socially and economically prosperous lives.
Nick Hill, CE of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says Pacific peoples play an important role in the social and economic landscape of Tāmaki Makaurau, and the Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series intends to elevate their voice and share aspirations and expectations for their presence and participation in the region’s future.
“We’re extremely proud to be working with Pacific leaders and the public and private sector through the Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series to support our region’s Pacific population to thrive. Pacific peoples make up nearly 17 per cent of Auckland’s population and are projected to make up 20 per cent of our population by 2043, playing an important role in our region’s future. Further, there are currently more than 120,000 Pacific peoples in Auckland’s workforce. However, challenges persist, with Pacific peoples continuing to experience a higher unemployment rate and lower average annual earnings compared to other ethnicities.
“Tāmaki Makaurau has a tremendous opportunity in the region’s Pacific peoples. With more than half of this population under the age of 25, they are key contributors to the future workforce and Auckland’s cultural and economic prosperity. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited delivered initiatives such as this new event series and Project Ikuna, a four-year government-funded programme that has seen more than 3500 Auckland Pacific workers upskill during work hours, help ensure the success of our Pacific peoples and ultimately our region, now and into the future,” says Nick Hill.
Hon Melissa Lee, Minister for Economic Development who is speaking at Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series: Enabling a future ready workforce says the event will provide an important platform for discussion to shift the narrative on the contribution of Pacific peoples to Auckland's economy.
“Pacific peoples make a significant contribution to Auckland’s and New Zealand’s economy, with potential for this to grow. Auckland accounts for 62 per cent of New Zealand’s Pacific population and the latest Treasury figures show Pacific individuals and businesses contribute around $8 billion to New Zealand’s GDP annually.
“I’m pleased that MBIE has partnered with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited to host the Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series, which will generate discussion around Pacific peoples’ contribution to the economy,” says Hon Melissa Lee.
Alongside keynote presentations from Hon Melissa Lee; Dr Corina Grey, Deputy Secretary Policy and Insights, Ministry for Pacific Peoples; and Toeolesulusulu Professor Damon Salesa, Vice Chancellor, Auckland University of Technology; attendees will hear from employers and Pacific workers that have participated in Project Ikuna, which is celebrating its successful programme completion at the event.
Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series: Enabling a future ready workforce will also see the release of a new report, Glimpses into Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Pacific Economic Future, commissioned by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited to provide data driven insights to support discussion about the importance of ensuring the success of the region’s Pacific population.
The report highlights positive elements of the region’s Pacific economy that are often overlooked - its youthful population, increasing levels of education and training, and innate ingenuity and enterprising mindset - and proposes an aspirational vision for the future. Central to this is a shift from viewing Auckland’s Pacific economy through a deficit-based lens and seeking to ‘close gaps’ with other population groups, to a Pacific economy where Pacific peoples are empowered to prosper through the unique strengths and skills they possess.
Nick Hill says the Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series is part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Teu Le Vā Pacific Work Programme, which considers how the organisation can build on its activities to support the region’s Pacific peoples.
“From Project Ikuna, which took 12 short courses including financial literacy and confidence to Pacific workers at more than 360 Auckland businesses, to Pasifika Festival, which this year saw 31,000 people experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the Pacific at Western Springs, we’re committed to delivering great outcomes for Auckland’s Pacific peoples in our role as a trusted economic development and cultural agency leader.