National recognition for council strategy

Far North District Council (FNDC) has been recognised nationally for its ground-breaking Te Pae o Uta – Te Ao Māori framework.

The council was named as finalists in the Mana Tāngata – Emerging Māori HR Award at the NZ HR Awards Ceremony in Auckland last week. There were more than 100 submissions across the categories, with 59 finalists, representing the top one per cent of the HR industry in New Zealand.

Te Pae o Uta – Te Ao Māori framework, created by the council’s Te Hono team, is a concept that gives FNDC staff and contractors guidelines for improving inclusivity and responsiveness in all aspects of work undertaken by the council.

With more than 51 per cent population of the Far North being Māori, Te Pae o Uta aims to increase staff competency and capability in responding to Māori communities.

The council’s nearly 400 staff are successfully using the strategy in their day-to-day duties, committing to achieving more than 150 goals through the framework, leading to positive engagement with all residents and communities.

FNDC Kahika Mayor Moko Tepania was delighted to see the framework recognised at a national level.

“What an awesome recognition for the positive change we’re seeing at Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika through Te Pae o Uta,” he said. “I am so proud of our staff and their mahi to walk the talk as an organisation. Mīharo (amazing).”

The Mana Tāngata – Emerging Māori HR category is for individuals/organisations who have implemented significant programmes that involve integrating Māori cultural values and tikanga into their practices. Entry into this category requires demonstration of tangible improvement in outcomes for Māori in the workplace.

The prestigious awards ceremony, run by Human Resources New Zealand (HRNZ) is the highlight of the HR industry calendar, celebrating excellence and achievement.

For more information, watch this video where Kahika Tepania and FNDC staff describe what the about Te Pae o Uta strategy means to them.

Pictured: (Above) FNDC representatives attend the prestigious awards ceremony in Auckland and (below) the certificate of recognition for the council's achievement.