Workplace safety statistics often paint a sobering picture. In New Zealand, Māori workers experience 31% more serious non-fatal work-related injuries compared to their non-Māori counterparts.

ACC’s claim rate data, coupled with Stats NZ’s Household Labour Force Survey from 2019 to 2021, underscores a troubling reality: Māori injury rates stand significantly higher, ranging from 25% to 33% above those of non-Māori.

With the New Zealand Manufacturing sector employing over 250,000 people, and Māori making up approximately 14% of the workforce, it is clear that a transformative shift is required to address these statistics and help build safer work, safer workplaces, and safer workers.

Recognising the need for change, Nik Jessop and Katrina Tahi Tahi from Te Pou Ora – Northern Region Equity, Partnerships & Intervention Design at Worksafe New Zealand and The Learning Wave have developed  Maruiti Safe Haven –  a Māori Safety Leadership training programme that develops  improved safety outcomes by integrating a Te Ao Māori cultural lens into safety leadership practices.

Picture: From the HRNZ Awards.

This marae-based experience incorporates Tikanga Māori principles to engage the hearts and minds of operational and production leaders and to deepen the connection to Māori perspectives on not just Health and safety but also well-being. 

Te Whare Tapa Whā is utilised as a framework to foster shared understanding and language of being a Safety leader, and their commitment to safety at a personal, operational, and business level.

Since 2020, the Maruiti Safe Haven Kaupapa has uplifted the safety leadership skills of over 60 leaders from 14 manufacturing businesses across Te Tai Tokerau. This initiative has not only enhanced safety capabilities resulting in tangible improvements in workplace safety.

It has equipped these leaders with the tools to support their kaimahi more effectively and create greater engagement and participation, which are key to lifting safety performance.

Check out more about the kaupapa https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/855195499

“The most powerful thing for me was to see hardened Māori guys break down in front of everyone and say ‘This is the first opportunity we have had to reconnect with our culture.’ The essence of the kaupapa was Health and Safety, but… this course made them realise that within their culture is a form of medicine that can heal them to be better role models and better fathers for their children.

It instills positive aspects of Māori culture back into people’s lives.” Eli Smith, Maruiit Safe Haven Facilitator from The Learning Wave:

Traditionally, our Health and Safety practices have been built on a  Western perspective only. This kaupapa reinforces the power that applying a Te Ao Māori cultural lens into safety leadership practices can help to address the Māori injury rates in our manufacturing businesses across New Zealand.

Both The Learning Wave and Worksafe New Zealand are incredibly proud that Maruiti Safe Haven has been recognised as a finalist for the  HRNZ 2024 Learning and Development Award – Small/ Medium Organisations