An initial grant of $ 1 million from the Department of Conservation's Mahi mo te Taiao (Jobs for Nature) Fund enabled the creation and financing of jobs for local rangatahi (youth) to develop nature-based careers.
Z Energy also invested $200,000 to further support training for youth, and provide the tools and resources required for the project. The project aligns with Z Energy’s focus on the connections between people, climate change, nature and the importance of enhancing resilience in communities.
Abbie Bull is head of sustainability and community at Z Energy. She says: “You can’t treat climate change, biodiversity loss and community resilience as separate issues. We need solutions that respond to these crises as an integrated whole”.
The investment has created meaningful job opportunities for youth in South Auckland. Rangatahi (youth) are learning to become tiaki (protector) or guardians of the land, and some have left to start their own businesses in the industry.