Pathways Leadership Breakfast - focus on AI and building young people’s capability
On Wednesday 11 June, Murihiku Regeneration hosted a Pathways Leadership Breakfast focused on AI, technology and building young people’s capability. Hosted at Transport World, Invercargill, over 100 participants took the opportunity to connect across education, industry and community.
Hon Penny Simmonds opened the Pathways Breakfast with an insightful presentation.
The breakfast opened with a presentation from the Hon Penny Simmonds. Minister Simmonds, provided rich insight into the way AI has already impacted the world of work, the importance of understanding this technological shift and the benefits it will bring to the success of our region and country.
Further speakers from Niagara Sawmill (Jemma Cournane) and Halter (Travis McKenzie) respectively, provided rich context to how AI is being used to innovate across processing industry and primary production. These talks highlighted the vital importance of young people able to engage with increasingly sophisticated technologies now impacting on employment in our region. What remained constant is the importance of human skills and capabilities in thinking, relating, and working well with others.
Aurora College Principal Craig Taylor, provided an insightful speech outlining the important role concrete experiences and connections to the world of work play in developing young people’s capacity to transition into the world of work.
Aurora College Principal Craig Taylor highlighted the importance of the Kia Tū pathway programme in his school.
Event organiser, Ivan Hodgetts (Programme Lead Te Ara Aukate Kore (Pathways Without Barriers) Murihiku Regeneration) has a positive outlook for the future of rangatahi in Murihiku:
There is a lot of fear about the impact AI and technology generally is having on the world of work. The speakers today highlighted how industry in our region are using innovation to enhance productivity, while also creating new, more advanced jobs - including jobs well suited to gamers! There is an a rich and rewarding world of work for our young people in Murihiku-Southland.
Kia Tū pathway planning for schools - a philosophical shift
Kia Tū is a programme of learning centred on building a shared understanding between rangatahi, whānau and school regarding how a young person intends to start adult life and the pathway they will take.
Aurora College has been an early adopter of Kia Tū. Principal Craig Taylor spoke of the importance of this programme to his school:
Our students are stepping into an ever-changing world, one that’s evolving at an exponential rate, especially with the advent and impact of artificial intelligence (AI). We’re not talking about a distant future; AI is already transforming industries across New Zealand and globally. The jobs of tomorrow may not even exist today, and the skills needed are shifting rapidly. While recent reports in New Zealand suggest that direct job displacement by AI remains relatively low, it is profoundly changing how work is done and creating a strong demand for new, AI-focused roles. AI is augmenting human productivity, automating repetitive tasks, and allowing employees to focus on higher-value work. This means that while schools can effectively teach the fundamentals – literacy, numeracy, critical thinking – and the crucial soft skills needed for this dynamic world – adaptability, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration – direct exposure to industry is absolutely essential for our students to see the practical application of these technologies. It’s about understanding how AI is transforming design, healthcare, engineering, logistics, and countless other fields right now. It’s about being future-ready, not just academically prepared. This is precisely why we are working with Ivan to develop and implement the Kia Tū program at Aurora College.
Read Craig’s full speech here.
Find out more about Kia Tū and how your school can get involved.
Thanks to our speakers
Murihiku Regeneration would like to thank the speakers for their support of this event: Hon Penny Simmonds, Jemma Cournane (Niagara Sawmill), Travis McKenzie (Halter), and Craig Taylor (Principal, Aurora College).
Thanks to our sponsors
Posted: 12 June 2025