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As unemployment continues to rise across the country, 36 of the country’s smallest and most remote councils have been working with Mayors’ Taskforce For Jobs (MTFJ) to find employment solutions for youth.

The three councils will join forces to introduce the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) Community Employment Programme, a nationwide partnership between Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) that has a strong focus on getting young people into sustainable employment.   

Building off the success of the programme with Carterton and South Wairarapa Councils in previous years, Masterton’s inclusion in the MTFJ programme will see the region create more job options for young people.  

Last year alone, there were 64 young people placed into sustainable employment in Carterton and 36 in South Wairarapa.  

“Having all three councils working together to provide greater employment opportunities in our region will be of huge benefit, both individually and collectively,” says Mayor Gary Caffell of Masterton District Council.  

“The success of the MTFJ Community Employment Programme clearly demonstrates what can be achieved in our communities when central and local government work in partnership,” he says.    

During the 2022-23 year, 1706 people around the country benefited from the MTFJ Community Employment Programme, surpassing the target of 1,450 employment outcomes.    

“The programme gives our councils the power and funding to address the challenges in our rohe with tailored solutions, highlighting the magic of a locally-led approach,” explains Carterton Mayor Ron Mark.   

“Carterton District Council has experienced enormous benefit from the MTFJ programme in the district over the past few years as one of the pilot regions.  We anticipate great things with the inclusion of all our region’s councils and taking a united approach.”   

South Wairarapa Mayor Martin Connelly says it made sense for Wairarapa to focus on the needs of young people across the region, rather than get hung up about local boundaries.    

“We know people in our region already travel regularly between districts for work.  

By teaming up, we're giving the next generation more options and increasing the chances they'll be satisfied at work. When this happens, people are more likely to lay down roots in the Wairarapa--and that's good for all of us,” he explained.    

In May 2023, the MTFJ Community Employment Programme achieved a significant milestone, placing over 5,000 predominantly young people into work across rural and provincial Aotearoa since its inception in early 2020.  

To date, the programme has successfully placed more than 4,000 people, mainly youth, into employment across the motu.

An employment programme driven by local mayors has placed over 3000 people into jobs in rural and provincial New Zealand in just two years.  

The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) Community Recovery Programme began as a small COVID-19 recovery pilot in 2020.

Made by LGNZ

 

Mitchell Boyce, an 18-year-old school leaver from Tararua College, gained an apprenticeship at Murray Judd Joinery in Woodville, with the support of MTFJ and MSD’s Community Recovery Programme. The programme also provided him with tools and helped him gain his restricted driver licence.

Mayors Taskforce for Jobs Rangitīkei coordinator James Towers, Ngaire-Ann Takimoana and her manager Gavin Zanders. Photo/Supplied

Veggie farming was the last thing on a Marton woman’s mind when she was unemployed and looking for work.

Kane Parker (left) who is thriving at Will Pilcher’s electrical business in Hokitika with the help of Mayors Taskforce for Jobs.

Kawerau rangatahi Iraia Nuku and Majean Rogers inspire others through video and mahi. Photo/Supplied 

Looking to youth to help other youth has paid off in Kawerau.  

Two rangatahi have demonstrated leadership in their community by raising awareness through videos and running vaccination clinics.

MTFJ’s national employment outcomes for youth and employers a ‘win-win’ with over 1,300 jobs foundThe Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) is celebrating a successful year having placed over 1300 youth and COVID displaced workers into sustainable employment in rural New Zealand as part of its Community Recovery Programme.