Downer’s ‘Whakatipu Tētēkura’ programme: supporting rangatahi into meaningful employment
Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui a Orotu is proud to celebrate the partnership between our He Poutama Rangatahi (HPR) programme and Downer, strengthening pathways for rangatahi into sustainable, meaningful employment within the civil infrastructure industry.
On 27 January, the He Poutama Rangatahi team welcomed Downer to Napier to meet nine rangatahi graduates of the HPR programme. The visit marked an important milestone, introducing rangatahi to Downer’s Whakatipu Tētēkura programme - an award winning initiative designed to support young people who are not currently in employment or education into long-term career pathways.
He Poutama Rangatahi supports rangatahi aged 16–24 who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET), guiding them toward sustainable employment through personalised career pathway planning, training connections, and brokerage into meaningful work. This new partnership with Downer strengthens those pathways by aligning rangatahi aspirations with real industry opportunities.
Downer is a leading provider of integrated infrastructure services across Aotearoa New Zealand and has been delivering the Whakatipu Tētēkura programme since 2018. To date, more than 110 rangatahi have graduated nationally, gaining work skills, life skills, and a strong connection to Te Ao Māori, while stepping into careers within the civil infrastructure sector.
As part of the partnership, Downer brings a strong focus on health, safety, and wellbeing for new entrants. As shared by Jarrod Telford of Downer:
“We have a health improvement plan around our new entrants and our training programme is about showing the rangatahi what is expected of them while at the same time giving them the tools to successfully navigate their entry into our industry.”
This approach closely aligns with He Poutama Rangatahi’s kaupapa - supporting rangatahi to be safe, confident, and well-prepared as they move into employment, while being surrounded by the right support networks.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to:
Supporting rangatahi into long-term, meaningful employment
Providing clear expectations and strong pastoral support
Strengthening culturally grounded pathways into industry
Walking alongside rangatahi as they take their next steps
Together, Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui a Orotu and Downer are creating opportunities that are not just jobs, but pathways - pathways that uplift rangatahi, their whānau, and the wider community.
Kia tupu, kia hua, kia puawai.