News
A Southland employment programme is turning hesitant enrolments into promotions, engineering certificates and photography businesses.
The Kia Tū Pathway Planning programme, developed through a partnership between Southland Regeneration, Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and the Ministry of Social Development, has now guided almost 200 learners through its micro-credential since it began. A recent cohort saw all 16 participants complete the programme.
The concept was developed by Southland Regeneration's education and training workstream lead Ivan Hodgetts, who says the programme is built around possibility rather than prescription.
"Kia Tū was created to help people explore their aspirations and identify meaningful pathways into training, employment and life opportunities within the region," Hodgetts says. "When learners discover what is possible for themselves and their whānau, and have the right support around them, they are far more likely to take that next step with confidence."
Two participants illustrate how different that next step can look.
Daniel Minani arrived in Southland from the Democratic Republic of Congo and enrolled in Kia Tū to build his footing in a new country. One of the most practical things he learned was eye contact — a gesture of respect in New Zealand but considered disrespectful in his home country.
"Where I'm from (Democratic Republic of Congo) to look someone straight in the eye is considered disrespectful," he explains. "But tutors told us that's how we know someone is trustworthy. They taught us how to operate in the real world."
The class practised with classmates, with tutors, and ran mock interviews. It paid off. "It helped me with a job interview," Minani says — one that secured him a casual labouring role. The confidence kept building from there.
"They gave me a perspective on how life is in New Zealand. They showed us there are steps for everything and that I could plan and make a future for myself. They gave me eyes for how my life could be."
Minani has since progressed onto the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3) at SIT. "It has been my childhood dream... getting a place on the course; it's been wonderful."
Lara Hawkins joined Kia Tū last year almost by accident — her friend didn't want to go alone. Lara was unemployed at the time, recovering from health challenges, and unsure she was well enough to attend.
"I was quite a shy person, quite reserved, and I feel like the course helped me get more involved with the teamwork in class and build confidence with speaking," she says.
Public speaking was the biggest hurdle. "One of the main things was public speaking. I hate public speaking," she laughed. Her presentation on photography changed that. "I remember being so nervous leading up to it. But as soon as I started, I was so passionate about what I was talking about."
Within months of finishing the programme, Hawkins landed a waitressing role at Invercargill's Distinction Hotel. She has since been promoted to senior staff, taking on supervising shifts, and is building a photography business alongside her job.
"I would say Kia Tū is one of the most significant things I've done in my life."
Tutor Keri-lee Kairau, who Hawkins credits as "one of the best teachers I've ever had", says the transformation she witnesses is consistent. "One of the most rewarding parts of Kia Tū is seeing people realise they are capable of far more than they initially believed. As confidence grows, so do the opportunities available to them."
SIT chief executive Bharat Guha says the programme fills a genuine gap as Southland faces skills shortages across multiple industries. "The Kia Tū partnership with Murihiku Regen reflects our mutual belief that education should support people to succeed, regardless of where they begin their journey, and that the right pathway support can open doors to further study, employment and community participation."
The programme runs from SIT's Invercargill campus and is expanding to SIT's Gore campus in October, extending its reach into Eastern Southland.