Puataunofo Manukau Pilot Project
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Focus on Manukau
Talanoa atu, 'ae le talanoa manu
A careless person will be taken by surprise by his watchful enemy (Samoan)
Puataunofo Manukau Project had a regional focus aimed at Manukau City, South Auckland which has the highest population of Pacific people, including youth and factory workers.
As at 2006, 67% of Pacific people in New Zealand lived in Auckland, with the population of Manukau being 27% Pacific, and projections estimating that the number will increase to 33% by 2016.
The information collated about the work health and safety issues that face Pacific people in the region justified its selection for the pilot project. ACC figures indicate the manufacturing industry had the highest number of serious injury claims between 2002 and 2005 and the Ministry of Social Development 2007 report suggests there has been an increase in workplace accident claims for Pacific people. See Appendix 15.
For the year July 2006 to June 2007, there were three deaths at workplaces in the Manukau area. Two were in industrial and commercial areas and one in construction according to DoL figures. [www.times.co.nz/cms/news/2008]
Number of Workplace Injuries in Manukau
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manukau | 5,211 | 6,338 | 6,110 |
Pacific Ethnic Groups and the Workforce at 2006
Samoan
In 2006, Samoans were the largest Pacific ethnic group in NZ making up 131,100 of the Pacific population. 68% of Samoans live in the Auckland urban area with 47,067 living in South Auckland. The three most common occupations for Samoans in NZ were labourers, machinery operators and drivers followed by clerical and administrative workers. The industry employing the most Samoans in 2006 was manufacturing. It employed more than double the number of Samoans than the retail trade, which was the next largest employer of Samoans.
Cook Island Maori
In 2006, Cook Island Maori were the second largest Pacific ethnic group in NZ making up 58,011. 34,089 Cook Island Maori live in the Auckland urban area; 20,574 living in South Auckland. The three most common occupations for Cook Island Maori in NZ were labourers, machinery operators and drivers and then technicians and trade workers. The industry employing the most Cook Island Maori was manufacturing. It employed more than double the number of Cook Island Maori than the retail trade industry which was the next largest employer of Cook Island Maori. The third largest industry for Cook Island Maori employment was construction. [Cook Island Maori People in New Zealand: 2006]
Tongan
In 2006, Tongans were the third largest Pacific ethnic group in New Zealand making up 50,478 of the Pacific population. There were 39,399 Tongans living in the Auckland Area; 48% living in South Auckland; and 38% living in Central Auckland. The three most common occupations for Tongans in New Zealand were labourers, followed by technicians and trades workers and lastly by machinery operators and drivers. The industry employing the most Tongans in 2006 was manufacturing. It employed more than double the number of Tongans than the health care and social assistance industry which was the next largest employer of Tongans. The third largest industry for Tongan employment was construction. [Tongan People in New Zealand: 2006]
Niue
In 2006, Niueans were the fourth largest Pacific ethnic group in New Zealand, making up 22,473 of NZ's Pacific population. There were 17,328 Niueans living in the Auckland urban area; 36% living in South Auckland and 26% in Central Auckland. The three most common occupations for Niueans were labourers, machinery operators and drivers, followed by clerical and administrative workers. The industry employing the most Niueans in 2006 was manufacturing, nearly double the number than the industry that employed the next most Niueans, the retail trade. The third largest industry for Niuean employment was health care and social assistance. [Niuean People in New Zealand: 2006]
Businesses in Manukau
In February 2006, manufacturing was still positioned as the largest sector, providing 20.8% (25,120 employees) of the city's employment. Production of machinery and equipment or elaborately fabricated metal products - continues to be the largest manufacturing industry in Manukau. [Manukau Quarterly Review September 2007]
