We are building a diverse and inclusive workplace that positively impacts kaimahi (employee) wellbeing.
We want the Council to be somewhere you can be yourself and feel comfortable bringing all the different aspects of who you are to work.
We’re not there yet. But we’re committed to learning as an organisation and working towards our vision to be a place where we all belong, can be our best, and thrive.
Together we thrive
Our inclusion strategy, Kia oke tapatahi tātou | Together we thrive, will guide us. It sets out the path we’re taking to grow a workforce that reflects the communities of Pōneke; and a culture where kaimahi feel cared for – manaakitanga – and connected – whanaungatanga.
Some initiatives from this mahi include:
- developing and launching our wellbeing programme for all kaimahi
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Mana Āki intercultural competence online learning
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te reo classes from beginner level and up
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te reo Māori pronunciation, phrases and pepeha workshops
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introductory learning on te ao Māori, whakapapa, wairuatangi, mana and kaitiakitanga, and the history of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
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the development of a module focused on learning about rainbow communities and how to be a great ally
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the development of a new Māori capability framework to help us support and deliver better outcomes for Māori across Pōneke. It will support our kaimahi to develop skills, mātauranga/knowledge and cultural awareness so we can deliver on this.
Tūpiki Ora Māori strategy
We’re proud of our Tūpiki Ora Māori strategy and action plan and Tākai Here mana whenua partnership agreement.
Here are some of the activities that support this strategy.
- Council supports our kaimahi Māori network, which includes kaimahi from our Council-controlled organisations, to build a connection through an annual wānanga. The network is looking at other opportunities to come together and maintain that connection.
- Our Mataaho Aronui business unit, led by our Chief Māori Officer, works across the organisation to achieve better outcomes for Māori and the community. This includes Council’s contribution to Māori wellbeing and commitment to our partnership with mana whenua.
- Mataaho Aronui takes a te ao Māori approach. And they can provide opportunities and a career pathway for kaimahi Māori to develop skills in strategy, partnerships, project delivery and leadership.
- Mataaho Aronui has key Māori roles which have reo Māori titles, including two new roles, Ki Pou – Pou Tikanga and Pou Reo. These roles will help us improve our understanding of tikanga and support the application of reo Māori and the building of that skill.
- We’re in the process of creating a toolkit to support working with iwi and mana whenua.
The Council and mana whenua recognised for te reo Māori initiatives
The Council was awarded the Te Rāngai Tūmatanui – Public Service Award at Ngā Tohu Reo Māori (the Māori Language Awards) 2024 for initiatives towards the revitalisation of te reo Māori in Pōneke.
The award demonstrates the Council’s commitment to Tākai Here, a partnership agreement between the Council and mana whenua. And it marks another step towards our vision of Pōneke becoming a te reo Māori city by 2040. Find out more about Te Tauihu – Te Reo Māori Policy.
The award recognises the following te reo Māori initiatives:
- Mahau – Te reo Māori Learning app
- Te Piere o te reo – kura reo Māori ki Pōneke
- Te Hui Ahurei reo Māori – Māori Cultural Festival
- Tohu Reo Rua – Bilingual Signage throughout the city
Mayor Tory Whanau attended the awards ceremony with Tākai (Taranaki Whānui, Te Āti Awa and Ngāti Toa) and Council kaimahi to accept the award on behalf of Wellington City Council.
Employee-led networks
Employee-led networks, support groups and communities are an important part of how we connect, embrace and celebrate the diversity of our people.