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Trade apprenticeships
Building and construction industry training organisation BCITO has launched a new initiative to encourage rangatahi to take up a trade apprenticeship.
BCITO manages apprenticeships for the building and construction industry in New Zealand, including Tauranga and Rotorua.
The initiative called Ko wai koe / Who are you? was launched in Hāwera where a te reo video was filmed and involved many of the local actors.
Speaking at the launch, BCITO chief executive Toby Beaglehole said more Māori rangatahi were needed to take up a career in the building and construction trades.
"Our young tama and wāhine need to see themselves, working in the sector. This initiative does just that."
Beaglehole said the video tells the story of a young boy finding out who he is and discovering the career journey he wishes to take.
"But it's about more than just an individual's journey, it's a journey that will give back to whānau and the local region. This is also a collective journey.
"Our mission is to ensure that the construction industry has the right skills, in the right place, at the right time, with the right numbers. The right people are crucial, and we need more Māori. That's why Ko wai koe / Who are you? is so important."
The launch, part of one of BCITO's TradeSecrets evenings, was hosted by Harry Anneff, the actor who plays the builder/mentor in the videos.
Harry Anneff is a BCITO Māori Rangatahi Ambassador and not only owns a building business, he also teaches te reo Māori and works closely with troubled rangatahi. Anneff was the lead builder/designer and presenter of DIY Marae, which aired on Māori TV.
The digital campaign will run throughout September and coincide with Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week.
The videos will go live on September 1 and be used in digital and social media promotions and on Māori TV. The video content will be subtitled in English.
NZ Certified Builders appoints new board members
NZ Certified Builders Association (NZCB) has announced the appointment of Ian Chamberlain as its new board chairperson.
Two new independent directors have also been appointed to the NZCB board.
Chamberlain, who has been a builder for more than 37 years, has stepped up to the role of chair from being vice-chair over the past year.
The two new independent directors are former Ministry of Housing and Department of Building & Housing chief executive and now professional director Katrina Bach, and chartered accountant and financial advisory consultant, Andree Atkinson.
Chief executive Grant Florence said the association was delighted to welcome the two new
independent directors, who each brought specific expertise and an important external perspective.
"Andree's financial expertise will be an asset around the board table, particularly in the context of our continued membership growth.
"Katrina brings a unique and valuable perspective as we navigate and best represent our members' interests during a period of unprecedented regulatory change."
Atkinson is the advisory director in Atkinson Consulting Ltd and a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
She has had significant experience on client advisory boards and not-for-profit boards, and is chairperson of the Youthtown Foundation and North Shore Events Centre Boards.
Bach was chief executive of the Department of Building & Housing for nearly a decade before its merger with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in 2012 and chief executive of the Ministry of Housing.
A member of the Institute of Directors, Bach is a board member of CCS Disability Action and has held board and chairperson roles for several Crown entities.
The new appointments follow former NZCB chair Kevin Sceats' completion of his term as
independent director. Sceats remains chair of the Halo Guarantees Ltd Board, which oversees NZCB's Halo 10-Year Residential Guarantee.
Acorn partners with Fame Trust
The Acorn Foundation has announced it has formed a partnership with Tauranga-based Fund for Acting and Musical Endeavours (Fame) Trust.
Founded in 2007, the Fame Trust provides support for young and mid-career artists.
The trust has also funded national organisations, including the NZ Symphony Orchestra, Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School and the NZ School of Dance, as well as local groups like Opus Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic and BOP Symphonia.
Acorn will be managing several scholarship and awards programmes for the Fame Trust, including six Emerging Practitioner Awards this year through the team at Creative Bay of Plenty.
The University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Otago, Toi Whakaari and NZ School of Dance will each have a $10,000 award to offer to students who have completed at least their first year of study.
The students will have a focus in the performing arts in one of the following areas of study which include:
Music: instrumentalists, operatic singers, composers, producers, conductors, taonga puoro players.
Contemporary dance: dancers, choreographers, producers, kapa haka leaders.
Theatre: actors, directors, playwrights, storytellers, theatrical technicians.
The successful Fame Emerging Practitioner candidates will demonstrate a high level of skill in their field and show the ability to have a successful career that will have a positive impact on the cultural life of New Zealand.
Award winners will be eligible to apply again in subsequent years while they are still studying. There will be one funding round per year, with an announcement of the winners from each institution in November.
Creative Bay of Plenty funding and projects adviser Annie Hill said the awards would be a step-change for recipients in the performing arts sector.
"The Fame Awards will provide a major boost to the studies of some of our most talented emerging artists, enabling them to spend more time perfecting their craft so they can reach the highest levels of their disciplines."
There will also be two other categories of Fame awards starting in 2022, including Fame Mid-Career Awards of $15,000 each (up to a total of three per year).
This award will be available on a one-time basis to support the advancement and recognition of an established, highly productive and inspirational New Zealand performing artist.
This award can be used for travel within New Zealand or internationally to perform or work with other companies or to pursue specialised educational opportunities.
Fame Special Awards may be used to support New Zealand performing arts practitioners who have been affected by disaster, extreme hardship, significant loss of property or trauma. Up to $20,000 annually will be available when the need arises.
A professional panel will be established to evaluate applications in both these categories with applications awarded on a rolling basis with no cut-off date.
Acorn Foundation chief executive Lori Luke said they were pleased to help the trust in supporting talented individuals across the country to achieve their dreams.
"We can't thank the trustees enough for this commitment to creative excellence."
Smart Growth appoints new strategic adviser
Kelvin Norgrove has been appointed the strategic advisor for SmartGrowth.
SmartGrowth is a leadership group that focuses on the future of the rapidly growing Western Bay of Plenty.
Norgrove, of Strateg.Ease Ltd, is a specialist in strategic planning for local government, having worked in various strategic and economic development roles in Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty.
Some of his recent clients include the Independent Māori Statutory Board (Auckland) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. His extensive experience in growth planning and social and economic policy will be a real asset to the Smart Growth vision for Western Bay of Plenty.
SmartGrowth chairman Peter Winder said he was thrilled to have Norgrove join the team.
"His previous experience in urban planning and policy is just what we need to execute Smart Growth's vision of developing a great place to live, learn, work and play."
Norgrove said he was looking forward to facing the challenges that lie ahead for SmartGrowth.
"The Bay of Plenty is a beautiful region with huge economic and social potential, and I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to that."
Norgrove replaces Ken Tremaine in the strategic adviser role.
Tremaine has been with SmartGrowth since 2001 and has made a considerable impact in his time there. The team thanked Tremaine for his hard work and dedication to SmartGrowth and wished him all the best in his next endeavour.
Norgrove takes over the role later this month.
National Emergency Management Agency chief executive appointed
Deputy Public Service Commissioner Helene Quilter QSO has announced the appointment of David Gawn MBE as chief executive of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
NEMA is the Government's lead agency for emergency management. It provides national leadership to Aotearoa New Zealand's distributed emergency management system.
Quilter said he was pleased to appoint Gawn to the role.
"Mr Gawn is a highly respected leader with extensive experience in managing and leading organisations and mitigating risk, including operating in hazardous environments.
"His judgment and decision-making within complex settings are hallmarks of his leadership and he has delivered priorities internationally and in Aotearoa New Zealand."
Gawn is chief executive of the Pike River Recovery Agency, a role he has held since January 31, 2018. Before that, Gawn was the Head of Mission and Chief of Staff at the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation and before that, he was Chief of Army in the New Zealand Defence Force.
Quilter said previous roles had given Gawn exposure to the emergency management system.
"Mr Gawn understands the challenges, vulnerabilities and opportunities in emergency management.
"He is optimistic about the strategic leadership role NEMA can take in Aotearoa New Zealand's emergency management system."
Gawn has been appointed for five years from September 1, 2021.
Michelle Wessing has been appointed acting chief executive of Pike River Recovery Agency.
That market has still only returned to around 60% of pre-Covid levels.