Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ)
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) is a nationwide network of New Zealand’s Mayors, working together towards the vision of all young people 16-24 engaged in employment, education, training, or other positive activity in their communities.
The Waimate District Council, supported by the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ), Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has received a funding boost in a move to bolster local employment opportunities.
MTFJ runs advocacy projects and partners with best-practice organisations to promote the economic well-being of young people. Partners include MSD, Tuia, Outward Bound, and Te Pūkenga.
THE MTFJ PROGRAMME
The MTFJ Community Employment Programme has been designed to help local business owners to fund local employment opportunities and assist individuals with securing sustainable employment - priority being those currently aged 18-24 on a main MSD benefit, and those aged 16 to 24 years not on benefit, not in training or employment or at risk of becoming.
Find out more from the Mayors Taskforce For Jobs Website.
Tuia Rangatahi Leadership programme
We would love to hear from a local community minded rangatahi (youth) to join with Mayor Craig Rowley in the Tuia Rangatahi Leadership Programme. The programme is made up of mentoring, community contribution and wānanga in different parts of the country and runs for one year.
The rangatahi selected will:
• be aged between 18-25 years old;
• be actively involved in contributing to the wellbeing of their community at some level;
• be able to commit to being involved in this part-time programme of three three-day and two four-day wānanga (leadership forums) over a period of 12 months;
• have support from others to participate in the programme (whānau/hapū/pakeke/employers/community etc.);
• be open minded and willing to contribute to discussions and workshops;
• be well organised and have the ability to manage their time and commitments effectively.
Please reach out by emailing deborah.kibble@waimatedc.govt.nz before 31 January 2026 to discuss this incredible opportunity or if you would like further information.
More information is available here
highlights
What We've Achieved
TOTAL employment outcomes for the programme to date - November 2020 to March 2025