Māori Trades and Training Fund

The Māori Trades and Training Fund is a flexible programme of grants, open to applications.

The Māori Trades and Training Fund is designed to encourage Māori organisations to try different approaches to engaging and keeping Māori in employment-focused training opportunities. The Fund covers all of New Zealand and includes all sectors and occupations.

How it works

The Māori Trades and Training Fund focuses on multiple employers, for example, iwi or hapū, to provide work experience and training opportunities for Māori. This includes an emphasis on paid training with support services, such as pastoral care. This approach helps overcome barriers to Māori taking part in training or apprenticeships.

Projects are Māori-led and:

• help people develop in-demand skills so they can stay in long-term employment
• support people into meaningful employment.

Who can get it

The Ministry of Social Development and Te Puni Kōkiri work together to approve applications to the Māori Trades and Training Fund on a rolling basis.

We assess proposals by checking how they meet the Fund's:

• criteria
• objectives.

Objectives of the Māori Trades and Training Fund

The overall objectives of the Fund are to support Māori organisations to:

• provide tailored, community-led projects that take a partnership and investment approach with the Crown
• deliver initiatives developed by Māori, for Māori – with a strong emphasis on delivering support in settings that are relevant and applicable to Māori
• provide projects with paid, employment-based training opportunities
• overcome labour market barriers by supporting people to work, such as offering pastoral care and providing pathways to sustainable employment
• deliver group-based approaches that involve Māori organisations employing participants and coordinating work with one or more employers
• develop projects helping people build in-demand skills or develop skills likely to be in demand over time, rather than just for an immediate project.

How to register your interest

If you are part of a Māori-led organisation and would like to apply for funding through the Māori Trades and Training Fund, please download and complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Please email your completed and signed EOI form to MTTFund@MSD.govt.nz.

We will let you know we have received your form within two business days.