Mahi that helps Māori

Among the key questions for Māori when making career decisions can be:

How can I do work that helps my whānau, community or iwi?
How can I work in a way that allows me to maintain a strong connection to my Māori identity?

Though there are many jobs and industries to choose from, there are some areas where your knowledge of kaupapa Māori will be of particular use to your community. There are also some areas where Māori have traditionally had a strong and influential presence, and you may want to carry on this tradition.

Health

: Pharmacy is just one area where you can help improve community health

Getting more Māori working in health-related careers is a key focus for improving outcomes and reducing health inequalities for Māori. Many development schemes and scholarships are also offered in the Māori health sector.

Possible careers in this area: nurse, doctor, pharmacist, health researcher and Māori community health worker.

Community services

: As a health promoter, Rakei Ngaia helps communities work on the health issues that affect them

One of the key drivers for Māori success is having resilient and participative communities working together. Community development involves local groups and organisations working together on projects that help the community address issues that affect them on an everyday basis.

Many skills are needed to help communities analyse and define these issues, set goals and develop outcomes and solutions.

Possible careers in this area: researcher, community worker, social worker, health promoter, youth worker and therapist.

Environment and sciences

Protecting and harnessing natural resources is a core aspect of kaupapa and tikanga Māori. Kaitiakitanga (the guardianship of resources) is a long-held value in Māoridom. Many whānau have deep and historical connections to the land and may have long associations with careers such as forestry, agriculture, conservation or fisheries.

Many tribal organisations also have strong asset bases in these areas and are in need of skilled people to help them manage these in a holistic and sustainable way.

Possible careers in this area: environmental researcher, environmental scientist, marine biologist, marine farmer, arborist, forest manager and ranger.

Education

Demand for Māori teachers is higher than ever – whether or not you are fluent in te reo and tikanga. Young Māori need Māori role models right across the education sector, in both mainstream and Māori medium education.

As more support and education programmes are developed to help Māori achieve in education, Māori teachers will be crucial in helping to deliver these and support students through secondary school and into further learning or work.

Creative industries

: The creative industries cover a range of jobs, from ta moko artist to fashion designer

Maori culture has been passed on through generations through art, carvings, music and storytelling. Today there are a number of industries that incorporate both traditional and contemporary Māori culture, creativity and artistic vision. Additionally the success of Māori Television has opened up opportunities in broadcasting for Māori.

Possible careers in this area: artist/craftsperson, weaver, entertainer, author, musician, radio and television presenter, graphic designer, landscape designer, fashion designer and photographer.

Information and communication technology (ICT)

Information and communication technology (ICT) has been growing for the past 15 years and is an integral part of government, businesses, organisations, educational institutions and households all over the world. For Māori, ICT can be a way of connecting communities, sharing knowledge and developing their people.

Possible careers in this area: include creative careers such as animator and graphic designer to developing software and websites for education, business and health organisations.

Trades

Māori have historically been strongly involved in the traditional trades, in particular through the Māori Trade Training schemes of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. A number of initiatives have been put together to encourage more Māori into industry training and then into skilled positions.

Possible careers in this area: builder, carpenter, civil engineer, electrician, forester, saw doctor, fishing skipper, chef or cafe manager.