Ventia
Finalist
Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei.
Aim high for what is truly valuable, and to be persistent in pursuit of those goal.
Te Ara o Rehua is the Ventia roopū whakahaere (working party), a group dedicated to driving diversity, inclusion, and equitable outcomes. This group ensures that Māori perspectives and interests are prioritised in every forum, fostering authentic cultural awareness that provides a sense of belonging and belief. The name of the roopū refers to the aspirational journey of aiming high on the sacred pathway of Rehua, a Māori deity who resides in the highest realms.
Ventia is one of the largest essential services providers in New Zealand and Australia. It supports clients on a range of projects in the areas of road, water, power, and communication network infrastructure and the facilities management of built and green assets.
The establishment of te roopū whakahaere a Te Ara o Rehua was a significant step towards increasing the cultural capability within the organisation in Aotearoa.
Kaitohutohu Māori Ricky Steedman says the initiative aims to foster positive relationships with local communities, whānau (families), hapū (sub-tribes), iwi (tribes), and all stakeholders across Aotearoa, spanning various sectors and regions.
Guided by the principles of te Tiriti, tikanga (Māori practices), mana (respect and kindness), wairua (holistic wellbeing), and mātauranga Māori (the pursuit of knowledge), it includes leaders and team members from across the motu and all sectors of the business.
The roopū developed a detailed charter, outlining its purpose, vision, and strategies, aligned to Ventia’s values, sustainability objectives, and growth strategies. A strategy day was held on the marae, with invited leaders, to deliver the charter. This gesture highlighted the authentic te ao Māori approach of the development process; collaboration, respect, adherence to kawa (protocols) and tikanga.
Ricky adds, “Aroha and manaakitanga were upheld to maintain the highest levels of integrity, guided by te Tiriti mātauranga.”
The charter was then presented kanohi-ki-te kanohi (in-person) to three levels of Ventia leadership including the full Ventia Board. These same leadership groups were taken on a cultural journey to better understand the strategies and initiatives in the charter.
“The initiatives outlined in the charter, along with the engagement with Māori communities and organisations, showcase our proactive approach to fostering positive relationships and creating opportunities for Māori within Ventia.”
Over the past 12 months, Te Ara o Rehua has made great progress. Māori employment has increased from 19 per cent to 30 per cent. The progress made culturally within the organisation has enabled Ventia to foster close relationships with various iwi and whānau in regions where the organisation has current or future projects, while also continuing to maintain strong working relationships with more than 50 Māori and Pasifika businesses.
“Ventia has been implementing our strategy or kaupapa effectively, with the active involvement of our leadership team, employees, and stakeholders. The kaupapa is supported internally and is led in the organisation through the efforts of the New Zealand leadership team and Te Ara o Rehua,” Ricky says.
