ZEDUCATION

Born in Samoa and raised in Aotearoa since 1984, Robert has worked most of his life as a machine operator at Colorcote. He will tell you straight, money used to come in and go out just as fast. Loans, fees, obligations. “Back then I wasn’t educated about money,” he says. “Money come, money go.” After completing Auckland Council's Money Confidence programme with Zeducation , that story changed at home, at work, and inside himself as a husband and father. Here is Robert, in h

Pacific adults face systemic barriers to literacy and numeracy—poverty, misread cultural values, bias, poor program design, and undiagnosed needs. This article distills Dr Betty Ofe-Grant’s insights and offers concrete actions for employers, training providers, churches, and individuals to build culture-led, safe learning, restore mana, and lift workplace confidence and opportunity.

Ten professionals from five NZ companies discovered through Project Ikuna that the best leaders leverage their cultural values as competitive advantages. They're now building stronger teams and workplaces where diversity drives innovation. Ready to transform your managers into exceptional leaders?

Avi, 18, entered tech via Spark Foundation’s five-week Turama Pathway with Zeducation’s Voyage to Success support. Practical soft-skills training turned first-day nerves into confidence—part of a programme where 5 of 8 participants secured tech roles.

Te Whānau o Waipareira and Zeducation are empowering Māori and Pasifika rangatahi in Auckland with work-ready and personal development skills. Since January 2025, over 40 young people have taken part in 30+ practical workshops covering communication, critical thinking, teamwork, digital literacy, and financial capability—helping them step confidently into education or employment.

After 39 years at Fulton Hogan, Jim Paul knows the value of hard work. But it was a Zeducation programme tailored for Pacific and Māori workers that opened his eyes to what’s truly possible. By meeting learners where they are, and delivering training with cultural understanding, Jim found his voice — and now uses it to lift others.

Zeducation proudly supported Spark Foundation’s five-week internship by delivering soft skills training and pastoral care through our Voyage to Success programme. With a focus on confidence, assertiveness, and resilience, five out of eight rangatahi secured jobs—proving that the right support creates real opportunity.

He thought he was just taking a workplace course—until it changed his family’s entire approach to money. How Robert turned one financial literacy programme into a $4,500 savings win for his daughter (and why his story is inspiring employers across NZ).

Makatuliki is more than a financial literacy programme — it’s a movement empowering Pasifika families to break free from financial struggle and take confident steps toward homeownership. Created and led by Zeducation, this culturally grounded initiative has helped 92 individuals improve their financial wellbeing, with 11 becoming first-time homeowners. Through online and in-person delivery, pastoral care, and practical tools, Makatuliki is unleashing intergenerational change

After moving to Auckland, Simone Uhatafi struggled to find work—until a TikTok video led him to Zeducation’s Voyage to Success programme. Now, with renewed confidence and the right tools, he’s ready to turn challenges into opportunities.

Zeducation partnered with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited to deliver culturally grounded training to Pacific workers in high-risk industries. Through Project Ikuna, we supported hundreds of learners across construction, logistics, and healthcare to build confidence, financial capability, and future-ready skills—proving the power of training that reflects culture and community.

From safety leader to confident communicator—Fuiva’s story shows the true power of investing in wellbeing. A proud graduate of Zeducation’s Project Ikuna training, his growth is a win for the workplace, his family, and Auckland’s future.

Missy didn’t enjoy talking to people or sharing how he felt—until he joined Zeducation’s Conflict and Resolution course. What started as a personal journey became a powerful example of how learning to resolve conflict can uplift individuals, strengthen teams, and boost workplace performance. Recent New Zealand research shows why these skills are vital now more than ever.

In our fast-paced world, caring for your wellbeing should not just be a goal in life, but a necessity in life. Caring for your wellbeing...

Ever wondered what truly motivates the vibrant young Pacific workforce in New Zealand?

Enhancing Literacy and Numeracy Training for Pasifika Adult Learners: Strategies for Success.

Pasifika people need support with workplace training, and employers play a key role in making this happen. The Pacific population in New...