Members of ngā Ohu Ahumahi, the Workforce Development Councils, recently attended the NZ HR Awards in Tāmaki Makaurau to celebrate Ohu Ahumahi being named one of the finalists in the Mana Tangata – Emerging Māori HR Award category.

The Mana Tangata – Emerging Māori HR Award recognises organisations who have implemented significant programmes that involve integrating Māori cultural values and tikanga into their practices, including human resource policies.

“Our organisational culture promotes the Māori values of Kotahitanga and Manaakitanga. Both kaimahi Māori and non-Maori alike are valued and included in our organisational culture and there are many opportunities for kaimahi to develop their Māori cultural capability within the workplace. Initiatives such as te Tiriti o Waitangi framework, dedicated Māori roles, daily karakia, waiata, mihi whakatau, te reo Māori lessons – are just some of the initiatives that are already in place at Ohu Ahumahi,” says Kim Hancy (Ngāti Maniapoto), Poutiaki Kiriwhanake – People and Culture Business Partner, Hāpaitia.

Although we didn’t walk away with the award on the night, we are immensely proud of the acknowledgement from Human Resources New Zealand and how far we have come since the establishment of Ohu Ahumahi in October 2021. The collective efforts made on a daily basis by all of our kaimahi across Ohu Ahumahi to uphold the values and initiatives implemented by Hāpaitia People and Culture Team has been a special journey that has been shared by many. Ka mau te wehi!

For more information about the NZ HR Awards, visit https://www.hrnz.org.nz/nz-hr-awards