Project Ikuna offered Auckland businesses a unique, government-funded opportunity to upskill their employees, equipping them with the tools to thrive in an evolving work environment. The initiative addressed a critical need, as nearly 60% of Auckland’s 99,300-strong Pacific workforce faced the risk of being impacted by automation and technological changes.
The programme’s significant impact was recognised nationally when it won the Supreme Award at the Economic Development New Zealand [EDNZ] Excellence Awards. It was also the recipient of the Excellence in Inclusive Development and Wellbeing award, highlighting its success in fostering an innovative and resilient workforce.
Eligibility Criteria
During the funding period, the programme operated under the following criteria:
- The majority of learners were required to be currently working in NZ and be of Māori or Pacific ethnicity.
- The programme served a diverse population including Samoan, Cook Island Māori, Tongan, Niuean, Fijian, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, and Kiribati cultures.
Programme Structure
Participants experienced the following during the programme:
- Mode of delivery: Face-to-face sessions led by expert facilitators.
- Duration: Each micro-credential consisted of 16 hours of learning.
- Group size: Intimate cohorts of 8-10 learners.
- Courses: Learners chose from a variety of Future Ready courses.
- Funding: There was no participant cost. The project was funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment [MBIE] and delivered by Auckland Council.
Testimonial
Take a look at what March Cato had to say about their Project Ikuna experience:
Past Future Ready Courses:
While Project Ikuna funding has now concluded, the commitment to empowering New Zealands workforce remains a priority. For information on current upskilling initiatives or alternative training opportunities contact us via the website or call 09 376 6612.
Life Online Basics
Practical and culturally responsive digital literacy course designed to build learners’ confidence with online platforms and digital devices. Grounded in real-life tasks, it equips learners to use email, browse the internet safely, join online meetings and create digital presentations, developing essential skills to succeed in today’s digital world across the workplace and community.
Life Online at Work
This builds on the success of ‘Life Online’ taking learners to the next level of digital confidence. Workers will gain practical skills to collaborate, communicate and stay safe online using cloud platforms, Microsoft and Google tools, and The Learning Engine to boost their digital capability at work and beyond.
Becoming Money Confident
Financial capability course that empowers learners to take control of their financial future by understanding how to make informed decisions about money in everyday life. Through real-world tools and relatable scenarios, learners will set goals, budget, tracking and understand debt and saving strategies. This will build confidence to talk about money and reflect on personal growth.
Introduction to Leadership
An engaging, entry-level course that empowers participants to lead with authenticity, empathy and courage. Grounded in values and inclusive leadership practices, learners explore leadership traits, practise coaching conversations and set personal development goals. Through reflections, roleplay and digital tools, they build practical leadership skills.
Leadership Confidence
Equip your people to lead with confidence, clarity and cultural intelligence. Built on foundational leadership skills, learners will strengthen their leadership identity, practise cross-cultural communication, motivation strategies and enhance active listening. Through real workplace scenarios and reflection, emerging leaders grow their ability to lead others effectively, supporting their ongoing development.
Assertiveness & Confidence
A transformative course that empowers individuals to communicate clearly, express themselves with purpose and grow their self-belief. Through practical tools and self-reflection, workers will explore communication styles, active listening, core values and mindset. Whether at work, home or community, learners build lasting skills to stand tall, speak up and stay grounded in any situation.
Conflict Resolution
Equip your workers with skills to navigate and resolve interpersonal and team conflict with clarity, empathy and cultural awareness. Rooted in real workplace scenarios, values of connection and respect, the course builds understanding of conflict causes, personal responses and practical resolution strategies. Learners strengthen communication, leadership and active listening skills.
Growing Money Confidence
Takes financial learning to the next level through self-directed, step-based learning that empowers learners to make real-life financial decisions with confidence. Building on foundational knowledge, this covers budgeting, saving, KiwiSaver, debt management and insurance. Using online tools to set goals, create financial plans and reflect on progress supporting their journey towards long-term
Wellbeing at Work
Support your people to build healthier, more balanced lives – mentally, physically and emotionally. This course takes a holistic, strengths-based approach. Learners explore emotional regulation, stress, nutrition, physical activity and connection, while setting personal wellbeing goals. Through reflection and practical tools, learners build lasting habits for everyday hauora supporting their personal and professional wellbeing journey.
Kaitiakitanga
Support a culture of sustainability through values-based learning. This is a practical course grounded in Te Ao Māori and Pasifika worldviews, supporting learners to build sustainable habits that honour the environment and future generations. Explore the link between personal values, cultural identity and workplace roles, applying LEAN thinking to reduce waste and set sustainability goals to support meaningful and lasting changes at home and workplace.
Preparing for your Retirement
Help your workers plan confidently for a secure and meaningful retirement. This is a foundational financial capability course that supports learners to make informed decisions about their future. With a focus on KiwiSaver, superannuation and SMART goal setting, learners explore retirement options, compare investment plans and create personal financial goals. Workers will take practical steps towards long-term financial wellbeing.
Preparing for Home Ownership
Equip your workers with the financial knowledge, skills and techniques to enable them to get into home ownership. Rooted in real life scenarios, values of connection and respect, the course builds understanding and practical strategies to take steps towards home ownership.
