This project has been designed to assist DOC to better understand their challenges and priorities when partnering with Māori, identifying material and resources likely to enhance both internal and external relationships, ensuring that their kaimahi Māori are safe to engage with Māori in a way that enables them to work as Māori and that they are respected and supported to do. It aims to explore how best practice and maximum effectiveness for Māori networks, kaimahi, kaitiaki, and kairangahau in DOC might be achieved. This integrally involves understanding challenges and priorities when partnering with Māori. This is fundamental to addressing kaimahi Māori’s ability to provide what is best for both Māori and Crown as partners.
In order to achieve this, it is necessary for the project’s proponents to safely and confidentially engage with relevant DOC staff (both managers and kaimahi Māori). This will provide a foundation for research by which DOC’s current policies can be reviewed in relation to, for example: training, iwi re engagement, and the current roles of, and support for kaimahi and their managers.
This report records engagement with DOC kaimahi Māori staff following a wānanga held at Hamilton|Kirikiriroa in August 2023. In short, it examines challenges and barriers facing kaimahi kāwanatanga Māori at Te Papa Atawhai.