Careers New Zealand Boosts Support for Rangatahi Māori

Careers New Zealand Boosts Support for Rangatahi Māori

Innovative research programme charts course for responding to changing career needs of young Māori

Auckland, 9 December 2015 - A new research project gives new insights into how best to support young Māori into high growth sectors.

Careers New Zealand, today released Project Kāmehameha, a summary of research to improve the design and delivery of career resources for Māori.

By 2030, approximately 30% of students, and therefore our future workforce, will be Māori, says Careers New Zealand CEO Keith Marshall.

“It’s important to provide information to rangatahi about their learning and work choices in a way that excites and engages, raises expectations, and increases Māori participation in high growth industries.

“Project Kāmehameha has given us a deeper understanding of the career aspirations, information needs and digital preferences of rangatahi Māori, as well as understanding the perspectives and support requirements of their whānau and teachers.

“This information will help us change how we support young Māori and use resources to ensure we make a difference for Māori. Project Kāmehameha shows the way,” says Mr Marshall.

Careers New Zealand spoke to rangatahi from years 7 to 13 about their study and career aspirations, where they go for information, who helps them with careers decisions, what challenges and concerns they have and how they want to receive careers information. Focus groups with teachers and family/whānau examined their roles, and a quantitative survey of 1,300 rangatahi investigated how Māori use digital channels.

Key findings include:

Type of technology used to access the internet.

• 73% have smart phones

• 33% have tablets

• 64% have laptop computers

• 32% have desktop computers

Use of the internet

• 61% search for information that will help them make decisions

• 45% use the internet for gaming

• 32% use the internet for communicating with family/friends

Use of social media:

• 73% use Facebook

• 59% use instant messenger services

• 38% use email and video chat

Philippa Matatia, Careers New Zealand Te Mana Pou Tuarongo Chair says that Project Kāmehameha speaks to the career aspirations of rangatahi and whānau.

“Project Kāmehameha’s findings tell us that designing and developing career resources suitable for Māori, that don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach, will lead to better and more informed subject and career decisions. Many young Māori and their whānau recognise that their culture and heritage opens up more opportunities for their future careers, especially within the Māori economy”

“What we’ve learned will help Careers New Zealand in developing digital content that appeals to young Māori, and we are interested in partnering with organisations who want to do the same.”

“The findings are already being used for the development of future content and digital tools including the creation of a digital version of Rangatahi Futures, a successful and culturally responsive career education programme that helps young people explore career interests through stories of tīpuna and includes learning about the Māori economy.”

ENDS

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