28/08/2026
Supporting whānau towards sustainable employment | Employment Placement Services Programme
Today, our Employment Placement Services Programme (EPS) team had the opportunity to connect with 16 participants at the Work and Income Kaikohe Service Centre, sharing an overview of the programme, the employment journey, and the wider support available through Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi.
During the session, Kevin from Employment Placement Services shared an important message that continues to shape the way we work:
There is no single need, and no two people will necessarily require the same support.
Every participant brings different strengths, experiences, goals and barriers. For some, the immediate challenge may be transport. For others, it may be confidence, work readiness, training, practical experience, interview preparation or connecting with the right employment opportunity.
That is why our approach is focused on understanding the individual and working alongside them to identify the support, development and connections that will best help move their employment pathway forward.
The session also explored how Employment Placement Services connects with the wider services of Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi, recognising that sustainable employment can be influenced by a range of circumstances in a person’s life.
Participants were also given an opportunity to connect through our “Stranded on an Island” icebreaker. Working in three teams, they were asked to agree on five essential items they would take if stranded together on an island.
The activity created plenty of kōrero while also bringing out important transferable workplace skills, including communication, teamwork, problem solving, negotiation and decision making.
We then opened the discussion around some of the practical barriers participants may experience when engaging in employment, training and work-readiness opportunities.
Transportation emerged as one of the key barriers identified. Through Employment Placement Services, we can work alongside participants to explore practical and appropriate solutions that support their ability to engage and participate in the programme.
Our mahi is not simply about placing someone into a job.
It is about strengthening local capability, building confidence, developing skills and experience, supporting work readiness, connecting people with training, and responding to what local employers are telling us they need from their future workforce.
By strengthening the connection between whānau, training providers, local employers and wider support services, we can continue building pathways towards meaningful and sustainable employment across Te Tai Tokerau.
A huge mihi to everyone who participated and contributed to today’s kōrero, and to the Ministry of Social Development and Work and Income Kaikohe team for the opportunity to share our kaupapa.
Interested in Employment Placement Services or know someone who may benefit from support?
Contact Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi:
📧 [email protected]
📞 0800 484 006
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
