Microsoft, Tuputoa & Zeducation Empowering Māori & Pasifika Through Digital Skills
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Client Case Study: Hikohiko Te Uira
Project Duration: 2021–2024
People Trained: 1,000+ Māori and Pacific learners across Aotearoa and the Pacific
Regions Reached: New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga
Funding Support: Microsoft Philanthropies Delivery Partners:
TupuToa (Lead Partner)
Microsoft (Strategic Funder)
Auldhouse (Tech Training)
Zeducation (Co-design, Programme Delivery, Cultural Facilitation)
Together, we designed and delivered practical, future-focused training programmes that combined technical skills—such as Microsoft Excel, Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and AI/ChatGPT—with essential soft skills like assertiveness and confidence. These workshops empowered learners to grow personally and professionally while preparing them for modern workplace demands.
🔹 The Challenge
With only 4% Māori and 2.8% Pacific representation in Aotearoa’s IT workforce, it’s clear the digital divide remains real. Barriers to participation include limited culturally relevant training, financial pressures, and a general undervaluing of tech careers in Pacific and Māori communities.
Covid-19 and the Auckland floods further impacted education pathways, especially for underrepresented groups in hospitality, trades, and manual labour — many of whom were eager to pivot but lacked the digital confidence or access.
🔹 The Response: Co-Designing Hikohiko Te Uira
In response, TupuToa, Microsoft, and partners developed Hikohiko Te Uira — a hands-on, culturally grounded digital skills programme. Zeducation was a foundational co-design and training delivery partner, ensuring the programme reflected Pacific and Māori worldviews, addressed real-life needs, and created a culturally safe learning space.
“Zeducation brought more than facilitation — they brought design thinking, cultural integrity, and wraparound support that made the programme powerful and deeply human.”— Anne Fitisemanu, CEO, TupuToa
🔹 Zeducation’s End-to-End Leadership
Zeducation led & supported:
✅ Programme Co-Design alongside TupuToa & Microsoft
✅ Advertising & Online Enrolments
✅ In-Person & Online Training Delivery
✅ Pacific Expansion (Samoa & Tonga via SPREP)
✅ AI Innovation – launched NZ’s first grassroots AI/ChatGPT training for Pacific learners
✅ Pastoral Care & Career Support
✅ Full Stakeholder Reporting & Data Insights
🔹 Agility in Action: Pivoting During Disruption
Zeducation demonstrated resilience and responsiveness by quickly adapting to:
Covid-19 lockdowns – shifting delivery online and maintaining learner engagement
Auckland floods – adjusting session times, support, and delivery formats
Changing technology – launching AI/ChatGPT training modules within 48 hours of ChatGPT’s public launch
These rapid pivots helped Zeducation reach more learners than ever — including participants from Fulton Hogan, Fletcher Building, Department of Corrections, Waikato Tainui and other local communities.
🔹 Global Reach: Taking the Spark to the Pacific
Hikohiko Te Uira didn’t stop in Aotearoa.
Thanks to support from Joanna Bourke, Taloto Eli Tagi, Wyndi Tagi, and partners at SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme), Zeducation helped deliver the programme in Tonga and Samoa, sparking digital growth in communities often left behind in tech development.
🔹 Results That Matter
📊 1,000+ individuals trained🌍 3 countries impacted: New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga💡 Top Courses:
55% enrolled into and completed Microsoft Excel training
25% enrolled into and completed Assertiveness & Confidence
337+ completed AI/ChatGPT, Excel, and Office 365 workshops in the past year alone
⭐ AI/ChatGPT Workshop Rating: 4.9/5
“The workshop was incredibly informative and practical. I can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned!” “Exceptional facilitator! Made complex concepts easy to understand.” “Highly recommend to anyone wanting to stay ahead in the tech world.”
🔹 Real Transformation
Participants used their skills to:
Apply for better jobs
Support their whānau and church groups with digital tools
Build confidence in professional settings
Speak up, lead meetings, and re-enter education
One participant shared:
“I was ready to give up on education… but this course made me feel good about myself again. You can’t buy that for money.”— Aylene, Programme Participant
🔹 What’s Next?
While Zeducation is no longer delivering Hikohiko Te Uira, we continue to provide culturally responsive digital upskilling through other funded initiatives such as Voyage to Success, helping more Pasifika and Māori individuals become work-ready across Aotearoa.
We know the need is still great — and we’re actively seeking partners and funders who are passionate about collaborating to expand access to digital skills training in our communities. Whether it’s AI, Microsoft tools, or cloud literacy, we’re ready to co-design and deliver solutions that empower people and prepare them for the future of work.
🔹 Want to Partner for Impact?
Zeducation is ready to co-design culturally responsive training that meets the real-world needs of your workforce — from the factory floor to the executive suite. Contact Us Today,
Comments