Labour’s $20M Māori Trades Boost | Wellington News

Wellington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 28, 2026 · 2m

Labour unveils a bold $20 million annual plan to revive Māori trades training, targeting the 10.8% unemployment rate among Māori versus the national 5.6%. Through a contestable grant fund, local Māori providers will design tailored programs matching employer needs, aiming to train up to 3,000 participants yearly—including older adults overlooked before. Rooted in a “by Māori for Māori” ethos and delivered in culturally relevant settings, this modern reboot seeks to rebuild confidence, purpose, and skilled employment pathways, reversing cuts Labour blames for stifling Māori opportunity. Listen…