News

First group of participants completes inaugural Kia Tū Pathway Programme at SIT

Congratulations to all the participants who completed the inaugural Kia Tū - Pathway Planning Programme at the Southern Institute of Technology.

The first group of participants completed the Kia Tū - Pathway Planning Programme today at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT). We took the opportunity to acknowledge the group participants with a celebration and shared lunch.

Graduates have gained the 20 credit Kia Tū – Pathway Planning Micro-credential through which they have built their knowledge of work and life opportunities and defined their own sense of direction. Over the course, participants have actively visited a range of trades and worksites across the region, giving them real-world exposure to potential career opportunities. After all as the saying goes, “if you can see it, you can be it.”

So far, the group has toured various workshops at the Southland Institute of Technology (SIT), including joinery, engineering, pre-trade construction, electrical and hospitality. They are also undertaking further training linked to their chosen pathway in the coming weeks. From here they will be supported by our Anamata Māia team as they move into further education and employment.

Ivan Hodgetts, Programme Leader for Te Ara Aukati Kore, commented: “We are really pleased with the programme. Participants have been able to explore industries in our region and build a solid understanding of the work and life they want. The participants have been engaged throughout, and I especially want to thank SIT tutor Keri Kairau, SIT staff, and our Anamata Māia team for the effort they have put into making the programme a success.”

Russell Finlay, SIT Programme Operations Manager – Academic, said “It has been great to see the growth in engagement, understanding, ability and personal aspirations reflected in each pathway plan. We have really enjoyed being part of the team delivering and supporting this programme and can’t wait to see where each graduates’ pathway takes them”.

Our Anamata Māia team has been impressed with the pathway plans developed and the honesty and courage of participants as they explore their own stories and future. Many were nervous about having to present their plans, but on the day they did a great job. Their motivation is an inspiration for us all.

The next programme starts on 15 October and is already full. This is a great endorsement of the programme. We will be offering further opportunities to participate throughout 2025.

Thanks to our sponsors

This programme wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Ministry of Social Development under its Māori Trade Training scheme. We also want to thank our other sponsors, including the Ministry of Education, Te Puni Kōkiri and the support of whānau at Hokonui Rūnanga.

Posted: 27 September 2024

Murihiku Regeneration continues to explore renewable energy projects while Southern Green Hydrogen is put on hold

Meridian Energy has advised that the Southern Green Hydrogen (SGH) project has been put on hold until market conditions improve, and their partnership with Woodside Energy has ceased.

Murihiku Regeneration has confirmed that while commercial discussions between project participants have now ceased, it would be continuing to explore Murihiku-Southland based renewable energy projects in the community and national interest.

Southern Green Hydrogen (SGH) was initiated by Meridian Energy in 2022 as a global green hydrogen export opportunity. After running a competitive market process, Woodside Energy was selected and appointed as a joint developer of the project, alongside Mitsui & Co, who would participate as the global market offtake expert. Hokonui Rūnanga (representing Ngāi Tahu) was invited to be a partner in the project at the point of a final investment decision.

Mr Terry Nicholas, confirms that“ while SGH has been put on hold, Murihiku Regeneration will continue to actively explore other renewable energy projects in the Murihiku-Southland region on behalf of Hokonui Rūnanga, Ngāi Tahu, and the wider community.

“We remain fully committed to exploring future renewable energy project opportunities, including the role that green hydrogen can and will likely play in Murihiku-Southland, and in New Zealand in the coming years.”

“ Through our involvement with the SGH Project, we have learned a lot about global renewable energy markets. We have also established very good working relationships with participants, which has been a significant indirect benefit from the project. We will be carrying this forward for future initiatives.”

“We are continuing discussions with Woodside Energy and Mitsui & Co, along with other parties to investigate future project opportunities. We remain confident that future project opportunities will be identified and activated as market conditions allow,” confirmed Terry Nicholas.

Murihiku Regeneration is hosting its annual Energy, Oceans, and Innovation Conference (Wānanga) on 26 -27 November in Invercargill to share updates on future energy projects and opportunities.

For more information please look at the Stuff article ‘Meridian pushes pause on Southern Green Hydrogen’

Posted: 28 August 2024

Murihiku Wānanga Energy, Oceans and Innovation Confirmed for 26-27 November 2024

As a result of the 31 May Tiwai decision confirming a 20 year power price deal for the Smelter, Terry Nicholas and Ta Tipene O’Regan have now confirmed and locked in the dates for the 2024 Murihiku Regeneration Wānanga event for 26-17 November, 2024 to be held in Invercargill, New Zealand. Its focus will be around the understanding the implications and opportunities for the Southland region of the Smelter remaining, looking at regional development opportunities and needs.

“The 2024 Wānanga will be the fourth event we have run on behalf of the region, to promote opportunities for leaders, developers, Iwi, stakeholders and the community to look at regional development.”

“Last year we had over 300 people attending each of the two days of the conference, with a targeted educational workshop the day before. By every measure, it was a high success and brought together a diverse and capable group of people to look at developing regional priorities”.Megan Woods on Energy transition, Just Transitions and Government policy

“Now that we have some certainty around Tiwai Smelter, we now need to look at what comes next, and how we leverage from that decision. “

“This year, we will be looking at the perspectives of an energy transition, the Oceans opportunity, innovation and future workforce needs”,

“We are very proud to confirm key sponsorship from the likes of Rio Tinto, New Zealand Aluminium Smelter, Woodside Energy, Contact Energy, and Westpac Bank,” confirmed Terry Nicholas, Portfolio Director for Murihiku Regeneration.

About the event:

• The Murihiku Regeneration Wānanga will be held at Ascot Park Conference Centre over two days on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th of November.

• Day One will focus on national and key priorities and Day Two will look at regional development opportunities across the key domains of energy, oceans, innovation, and education.

• The Murihiku Regeneration Wānanga is a by invitation event. For those wishing to attend, sponsor or seek further information – please contact us.

• As in previous years, the Wānanga event will be live streamed and recorded for easy access.

Posted: 27 August 2024

Kia Tū Trades Training Pathway Programme starts in collaboration with SIT

On the 6th August 2024 we welcomed the first cohort of participants in the Kia Tū Trade Training Pathway Programme. This programme is a part of our ongoing work with the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) to ensure that whānau build the capability needed to take up current and future opportunities in our region.

We started the morning with a pōwhiri for participants and whānau. It was an opportunity to come together and celebrate the start of this initiative. Acting CE for SIT, Daryl Haggerty commented on the importance of the programme and a new way of working for SIT.

Ivan Hodgetts, Programme Lead for Murihiku Regeneration said that “yesterday was the culmination of a several years’ work to develop the Kia Tū micro-credential and build a solid foundation for success. We are looking forward to hearing about participants’ aspirations for life and work and supporting them to turn those dreams into reality.”

This is an 8 week course, where participants get to experience a broad range of trade and industry pathways. They then decide on their chosen path and are supported to transition into employment and further training.

The next intake begins in October 2024, and there will be further intakes in 2025. Find out more about the Kia Tū trade training pathway programme on our website or visit the SIT website for course details.

Thanks to our sponsors for supporting this programme (see below).

Look out for updates on participants’ success!

Contact Abby for more details and find out how to enrol: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

Posted: 7 August 2024

First Anniversary of Murihiku ki Te Tonga, the World’s First Indigenous-Led Antarctic Programme

Exactly one year ago, on 03 August 2023, the Murihiku ki Te Tonga had its official launch at the XIII SCAR Biology Conference, in Ōtautahi-Christchurch. So much has happened since then! Our team has completed two more expeditions to the Ross Sea region in partnership with Heritage Expeditions as well as Colin Aitchison at Skyworks UAS and Anthony ‘Antz’ Powell of Antzworks. We completed a detailed survey of a key archaeological site on Enderby Island-Maungahuka, mapped penguins at Cape Adare, and continued our whale research programme. Recently, we submitted our first paper to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) at their recent WG-EMM meeting in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, 01-12 July 2024. A beautiful video produced by Antz and narrated by Tā Tipene O’Regan himself showcases our programme and sends a powerful call to help protect our unique Te Moana-tāpokopoko-a-Tāwhaki.

Our 2024 expeditions to the Ross Sea region in nine pictures. Top left clockwise: one of beautiful snow petrels that followed our ship (R. Eisert); Antarctic Type-C killer whales use a hole in the sea ice to breathe (C. Aitchison, Skyworks); Adélie penguins coming ashore at Cape Adare (R. Eisert); juvenile Antarctic killer whales (MKTT); our expedition vessel, the Heritage Adventurer, passing through the sea ice of McMurdo Sound (C. Aitchison, Skyworks); a great toroa (albatross; R. Eisert); portrait of a king penguin (R. Eisert); a pakake (minke whale) feeding on krill in the Ross Sea (C. Aitchison, Skyworks); centre: Rewi Davis paying his respects to the Pou Whenua during a visit to Scott Base, New Zealand’s Antarctic base in the Ross Sea (R. Eisert).

Posted: 3 August 2024