8290 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

8290 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What projects, if any, that are specific to Pacific Peoples are being currently being supported in the Horowhenua area?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that it does not fund any projects specific to Pacific people in the Horowhenua region. However, the Ministry does fund programmes for Pacific people. The Pacific Employment Action Plan (PEAP) Fund supports 13 employment and training programmes across the country, delivered by Pacific providers. The programmes are to upskill Pacific people so they can get sustainable jobs, with higher wages, in high-growth sectors. The fund is a collaboration between Ministry of Social Development and Ministry for Pacific People. These initiatives will focus on equipping Pacific people with skills for employment in high-demand and high skilled sectors such as technology, healthcare, education, and construction. The nearest PEAP programme to Horowhenua is in the Central region, located in Manawatū. The Ola Lelei programme, delivered by Niuvaka Trust, provides comprehensive pastoral care, support and training for Pacific parents, Pacifica women, and Pacifica youth to gain qualifications and transition into sustainable employment in the health, social services, or IT/technology sectors. The programme aims to provide sustainable outcomes, ensuring that both the individual and the wider kōpu tangata (extended family) benefit from employment success.