Innovative and emerging technology platforms, products and services for industry and end-users, including artificial intelligence, cyber security, virtual reality and software as a service (SaaS). Toi Whānui involves inventions that are applied to enable and improve user capabilities. It is the largest of the Toi Mai workforces and has grown rapidly (largely through migration), but has low employment of Māori, Pacific people and women.
Major systemic change is required in vocational education coordination, funding and provision if New Zealand is to realise the potential of its digital technology industry.
This is the finding of Toi Mai Workforce Development Council’s first workforce development plan for Toi Whānui, Te Wao Toi Whānui.
The plan highlights the challenges and opportunities in attracting, training and retaining Toi Whānui employees and offers advice and recommendations for building this workforce into something thriving and sustainable.
Te Wao Toi Whānui is the result of engagements with technology businesses, government, rangatahi, learners, employees, education providers and members of the Pacific and tāngata whaikaha communities – combined with research and data to produce insights on what is needed to ensure a thriving workforce and productive digital technologies industry.
The plan outlines two main actions and two main recommendations for Toi Mai, Tertiary Education Commission, and the wider industry to undertake. Toi Mai invited all digital technology industry members, learners, education providers, and those with an interest in the sector to provide feedback on these actions and recommendations. Consultation closed on 10 June 2024.
The feedback from this consultation is being evaluated, synthesised and, where applicable, being incorporated into the final version of the plan, which will be released in due course.
Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Toi Mai would like to thank all the people across the motu whose honest and open feedback enabled us to gain compelling insights so that together we can shape a better future for Toi Whānui and the people of Aotearoa.
We would also like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to Anton Matthews for his metaphor that brought ‘Te Wao Toi Whānui’ to life, and the Toi Whānui team for the significant role they played in bringing this important kaupapa to fruition – ngā mihi nui.
Te Wao Toi Whānui is a result of genuine mahi tahi and we are indebted to your generosity of time and contribution.
Sunil Bhargav, Aspire2
Laura Chamberlain & Graeme Muller, NZTech
Paula Cooper, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
David Clearwater, Dev Academy
Robyn Kamira, Paua Interface
Maryanne Madden, Matihiko
Anton Matthews, Hustle Education
Hamish Smith, Otago Polytechnic
Louisa Taylor, Canterbury Tech
Melissa Absolum & Mehanz Ahmed, Māngere East Primary
Ron Amosa, AWS
Dean Brennan, IT’s Accessible
Marcus Bristol & Keltie Thangam, Pushpay
Nick Churchouse, Snapper
Malcom Clarke, Digital Technologies Teachers Aotearoa (DTTA) / Kowhai Intermediate
Frayne Cooke, Plait Health
Tracey Cotter-Martin, Datacom
Matt Cowie & Matt Oakley, Toro Technology
John Creighton, Burnside High School
Murray Davey, Department of Internal Affairs
Stephen Gadsby, IBM
Joel Gibb & Chiara Potter, CDC Data Centres
Stuart Gregory, Te Puni Kōkiri
Michael Grimmer, MOTAT
Chandra Harrison, Access Advisors
George Hiotakis & Natalia Kornyk, Sharesies
Hamish Johnston, Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ)
Jenny Kempster, Ormiston Junior School
Chris Kumeroa, Global Risk Consulting
Simon Lendrum, Commercial Communications Council
Evo Leota-Tupou, Pacific Kids’ Learning
Callum McMenamin, Department of Internal Affairs
Peter Mellalieu, Peer Access Pro
Daniel Merriott, Digital Skills Agency
Dan Milward, Gamefroot
Nikora Ngaropo, Young Animators
Nina Oberg Humphries, Tagata Moana
Stu Potter, Stardust Me
Kemp Reweti, Pūhoro Academy
Karen Ross, Datacom
Paul Semmons, Waitakere College
Steve Sim, Ministry of Justice
Angela Simpson, Serko
Graeme Simpson, Statistics New Zealand
Sarah Stack, Spark
Simon Strombom, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Sonny Taite, Te Whatu Ora
Megan Tapsell, ANZ Bank
Te Ariki Te Puni, Education Perfect
Tracy Voice, Ministry of Social Development
Kawana Wallace, OMG Tech
Stuart Wakefield, Ministry of Education
Evan Wilson, Qrious
Livi Ah Hoi
Nelson Ah Hoi
Mele Alatini
Lemoe Alatipi
Martin Anae
Julia Arnott-Neenee
Kotisi Fakalata
Lisale Falema’a
Rita Forsythe
Frances Fuamatu
Tana Isaac
Sio Isara
Otako Kaufusi
Jade Keil
Fred Lefaoseu
Issacc Liava’a
Akerei Maresala-Thomson
Patrick McKibbin
Ioe Misa
Niu Sila Mulitalo
Winona Ngaro-Malifa
Caitlin Parr
Asheel Ramanlal
Kailah Saupese
Kenape Saupese
Fomai Savea
Peter Siania
Heston Stanley
Helen Steven
Ritati Tautua
Darlene Tuiono
Julius To’o
Michele Whiting
Dorenda Britten
Alan Cox
Marnie Hart
Chandra Harrison
Sarah Kinley
Peter McGlinchey
Darryl Sherwood
Dylan Watts
Barriers to diversity in the Aotearoa tech sector highlights the many complex barriers to inclusion that have been holding tāngata whaikaha, in particular, back from entering the tech sector’s workforce.
This research builds on the findings contained in two reports released by Toi Mai earlier this year into the ‘Leaky Pipeline’ – the barriers to access for young women in the creative technology (Createch) sector.
Download a printable version of the report here.
Download a word version of the report here.
Alternative formats, including Braille, large print, audio, Easy Read and NZSL translations, are available here.
