Māori & Pasifika at Fonterra

At Te Mātapuna (Fonterra), we are dedicated to empowering and supporting our Māori and Pasifika employees on their journey within our organisation. We recognise the richness and diversity tangata whenua and tangata Pasifika bring to our workforce and culture. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and fostering an inclusive culture for these groups of talent.  This is not only the right thing to do but is also an essential part of our strategy. To foster an environment where every individual's unique background and perspectives contribute to our collective success, we embrace all viewpoints and lived experiences. This inclusive approach helps us fulfil our purpose and values, navigate opportunities, and engage thoughtfully with the communities and markets where we are present.

We have a number of initiatives to encourage greater ethnic diversity in our workplaces, and we regularly measure and report on our progress, holding ourselves accountable for our commitments. Our unwavering aim is to achieve a workforce at all levels that reflects the communities in which we operate and to create workplaces where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work every day and perform at their best.

Empowering Māori and Pasifika Employees:  We are committed to proactively supporting Māori and Pasifika employees in their careers. This includes offering opportunities to upskill and recognising that we need to de-risk progression, such as through secondment and acting-up trials. We make progression routes explicit and well-known across the organisation, including the skills needed to progress. 

Tupu Toa Partnership: Tupu Toa is an impactful initiative that Te Mātapuna Fonterra has partnered with to grow Māori and Pacific leaders for a greater Aotearoa. This partnership began in 2018 and is centred around a 12-week paid summer internship program designed to create pathways for tertiary students to enter professional careers upon graduation. The program also provides additional support for the interns, including pastoral care, coaching, and cultural proficiency training for managers.

Pūhoro Partnership: We recognise the value of matauranga Māori and the invaluable knowledge and skills that rangatahi Māori can bring to all fields of work. We feel very privileged to have a partnership with Pūhoro Charitable Trust. This is a testament to our dedication to enhancing rangatahi engagement in STEMM education and employment. This kaupapa-dedicated initiative aligns with our values, working collaboratively with rangatahi, whānau, schools, iwi, tertiary providers, government, and industry organisations to foster a STEMM workforce for an innovation-focused future society.

Community Engagement: We encourage our employees to engage with the community through policies that allow them to take time off to undertake volunteer work. We recognise that this benefits us and our employees as much as the community at large. These opportunities are yet another way we support diversity and inclusion through lived experiences amongst our people.

Scholarship Programs: We collaborate with Pūhoro STEM Academy and Dean Pasifika at Massey University to explore and foster expertise development and industry partnerships. Our scholarship program includes scholarships specifically for Māori and Pasifika STEM students and general scholarships for undergraduates.

Kaimahi Māori Network: We are proud to support our Māori employees through our Kaimahi Māori Network. A network run by our Māori Strategy team which includes monthly calls and other ad hoc opportunities to input into kaupapa Māori initiatives. These platforms provide a culturally safe space for our Māori employees to connect, share, and learn from each other, fostering a sense of community and belonging within the Co-op.  You can also reach out to our GM-Māori Outcomes & Capability for guidance and any culturally specific development support in your capacity as a Kaimahi Māori within Te Mātāpuna.

To learn more about our Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and how we support our Māori and Pasifika employees, we invite you to explore our stories and how we are creating an inclusive environment for all.

Learn more about Haea te ata Māori Strategy (fonterra.com)

Learn more about our Pūhoro Partnership Building a Brighter Future in STEM: Fonterra and Pūhoro Partner to Empower Māori Rangatahi

Learn more about Diversity and Inclusion at Fonterra