TE IWI/People

Tu Tangata, Issue 9, 1 December 1982, Page 38

TE IWI/People

Sharing the shearing

“The challenge confronting this hui collectively and you individuallly is that of mobilising these resources. Mobilising them is a distinctively Maori way...” Johh Rangihau Maori Business Development Conference February 1982 The challenge has not gone unheeded. South Otago shearing contractor, George Potae, and Maori Affairs Regional Office, Wishie Jaram, have combined resources in an ambitious scheme to maintain the Maori share of jobs within the shearing industry. Over SIOO million of New Zealand’s $l5O million shearing industry is paid in wages. George Potae estimates that the workforce is at least 60% Maori giving a value to the Maori community of over S6O million. But he warns that this share of the industry is under threat. Says George Potae community is to maintain their share of

the work then they must respond positively to changes within the industry.” There are two trends that threaten the livelihood of the many Maori people involved. First, there are many more people being attracted to shearing because of improved conditions, excellent monetary rewards and the generally difficult situation in other employment sectors. The second significant change and the one which poses

the greatest threat is the increasing demand for formally trained and certified employees. Says Potae “Farmers are increasingly aware of the improved rate of return through proper clip preparation.” By raising the skills level of Maori youth within the industry these threats can be overcome and that is the objective of this joint venture training scheme. The scheme received the personal support of the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. M.B.R. Couch when he presented the first four graduates with their Senior Certificates at Dunedin’s Araiteuru Marae. As a special recognition of their achievement Mr Couch also presented each candidate with a new $250 handpiece donated by the Araiteuru Marae Council. Says company instructor Ron Davis “Ben Couch made a special effort to get here and for these young men that is more encouragement than anyone else has ever given them at any one time in their lives. For young Maoris in the shearing industry his gesture has given

this scheme more momentum than we could have mustered in two years hard work.” There are two thrusts to the scheme. The first, in which Maori Affairs plays the dominant role, is to raise the status of the qualified individual, enhance the sense of pride in achievement and motivate others to increase their levels of skill. The second thrust in which the company takes the dominant role is to provide additional training, facilities and personal attention, so that it is a little bit easier to pass the requirements. As operations manager Bill Potae points out ‘‘l frequently encounter people who have the ability but lack the confidence to cope with formal training situations. With our own in-company programme the environment is less threatening.”