Tātaki Auckland Unlimited & Zeducation Upskilling Pacific workers in Auckland
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
🟦 Project Case Study: Future-Ready Pacific Workforce
Zeducation partnering with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited to deliver Project Ikuna
Programme: Project Ikuna – Workplace Stream
Timeframe: 2020–2025 (MBIE-funded extension)
Lead Government Agency: Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Delivery Partners: Zeducation and other training providers
People Trained: Over 5,000 Pacific workers reached to date
Focus: Upskilling Pacific workers in Auckland at risk of job disruption due to automation and economic change
Audience: Pacific peoples in lower-skilled, high-risk roles across sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, construction, and healthcare
🔹The Challenge
Auckland is home to 99,300 Pacific workers, many of whom are employed in manual, lower-skilled roles. These workers form the backbone of industries like construction, transport, logistics, and manufacturing — but they’re also the most vulnerable to change.
Nearly 60% of Auckland’s Pacific workforce are in jobs likely to be affected by automation, digital transformation, and the lingering economic impacts of Covid-19.
Many lack access to professional development or digital skills training.
Traditional training methods often fail to reflect Pacific culture, language, or learning styles — making engagement and impact difficult.
🔹The Response: A Culturally Responsive Upskilling Model
To address these gaps, Project Ikuna was launched as a government-funded initiative connecting Auckland employers with training providers like Zeducation who could upskill their Pacific staff during paid work hours.
Zeducation was selected as a key delivery partner, bringing cultural credibility and a strong track record in workplace training.
🔹Zeducation’s Role
Zeducation co-designed and delivered short, accredited courses tailored to the cultural and workplace realities of Pacific learners.
Our focus included:
✅ Financial capability training: Money Confidence, Preparing for Homeownership, and Planning for Retirement
✅ Soft skills training: Assertiveness & Confidence, Conflict Resolution — among the most requested workshops
✅ On-site and online facilitation, including flexible delivery during business hours
✅ Learner support and pastoral care, ensuring every participant felt valued and understood
✅ Employer reporting and stakeholder updates, offering transparency and tracking real impact
🔹 Results That Matter
5,000+ Pacific workers supported through Project Ikuna to date
Zeducation trained 500+ learners across dozens of Auckland businesses including Fletcher Building, Fulton Hogan, Port of Auckland, Mondiale, Essano, Huhtamaki, and many more.
60% of learners in our programmes had never participated in workplace training before
Over 90% of participants reported improved workplace confidence and communication skills
Learners in financial workshops reported practical outcomes — like starting savings plans, meeting with mortgage brokers and buying their first home.
Employers reported better team dynamics, increased engagement, and a more confident frontline workforce
🔹 Employer Feedback
"Pasi and his Zeducation team are exceptional in their support of Port of Auckland. Their work has had a profound and positive impact on employee development, upskilling our workforce and giving them the confidence and capability to contribute more at work and home, work smarter and grow into leadership roles. Their unique ability to engage diverse learners and tailor approaches to building programmes is a testament to their effectiveness. We are delighted to continue working with Pasi and his team and making positive transformations for our workers." - Vanessa Wolfgramm, Pacific Outcomes Manager - Port of Auckland
"While at the Link Alliance, I selected their organisation Zeducation to deliver training workshops as part of Project Ikuna for our workforce. From the initial meeting right throughout he was consistent with his professionalism, flexibility and innovation in working with us to ensure it fitted in with our people & the demands of the project. I appreciated the positiveness and the genuine care and aroha for our people & how the workshops would benefit them in the workplace & their homes. Would definitely recommend to others. Malo aupito Pasi & team for all your hard work...it isn't by chance that you yourself have become a success story." - Mary Samasoni, Social Outcomes Future Workforce Manager - Link Alliance
"Pasitaua and the Zeducation team have been an awesome partnership, by facilitating educational workshops for our production staff. Throughout our collaboration, the Zeducation team consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise, dedication, and a genuine passion for empowering others through knowledge. Our team found the Zeducation workshops were both informative and engaging, tailored to meet the specific needs of our production team. Their ability to communicate complex concepts in a clear and accessible way fostered a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. Thanks to Zeducation’s guidance, our team has gained new skills and enhanced our efficiency in several key areas." - Laura Moloney, People & Culture - Essano Limited
🔹 Why It Works
Zeducation doesn’t just deliver content — we build connection.
Our facilitators are Pacific. Our content is grounded in culture. Our delivery is designed for real-life application — not just ticking boxes. This creates safe learning environments where participants feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow.
🔹 Looking Ahead
While Project Ikuna continues through 2025, the need for culturally responsive workplace training is greater than ever. Many employers still have untapped potential in their Pacific workforce — and Zeducation is ready to partner.
We are actively seeking:
Employers looking to upskill Pacific staff
Government agencies and funders who want to scale proven solutions
Community partners who want to co-deliver culturally grounded programmes
🔹 Let’s Build Together
If you're an Auckland business in manufacturing, healthcare, construction, infrastructure, or transport and logistics, and you employ Pacific staff — now is the time to invest in their future.
Zeducation is ready to co-design and deliver training that transforms both people and performance.
[Enquire Today] | [ View Available Courses ]
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