Workforce Development Councils welcome GM Whaikaha Disabilities

Workforce Development Councils welcome GM Whaikaha Disabilities

Last updated 13 September 2022
Last updated 13 September 2022

Roger Herangi

It was a landmark occasion when Ohu Ahumahi, representing the six workforce development councils, appointed its first General Manager Whaikaha Disabilities recently.

A pōwhiri for Roger Herangi in Te Whanganui-a-Tara set the tone for the establishment of his role, a celebration of hope and aspiration for tāngata whaikaha (the disabled community) throughout Aotearoa. Those attending in person and online were left in no doubt about the importance of the new role, which reflects the priority given to tāngata whaikaha as a result of the review of vocational education.

Toitū te Waiora Chief Executive Donovan Clarke paid tribute to those who had helped to get the role in place for Ohu Ahumahi. “It is important for us to have a role to work across all six workforce development councils,” he added.

Grant Cleland, of Disability Consultancy Creative Solutions, reinforced the importance of the role, pointing out that 22 percent of people in Aotearoa have a disability or impairment. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with disability finally made a priority group alongside Pacific and Māori,” Grant said, adding that the new Whaikaha role has the potential to open up pathways for disabled people.

Roger’s extensive work with tāngata whaikaha over the years has reinforced his philosophy that what is important is who a person is, rather than defining them by disabilities or abilities. Looking ahead, Roger said he was keen to get started and begin work as a navigator in the role. And that is exactly what he has done, getting straight to work after the pōwhiri to set up a tāngata whaikaha caucus made up of kaimahi from across Ohu Ahumahi, and mapping the way forward.

Roger has also been working on a draft strategy for ensuring that tāngata whaikaha have the same access and opportunity as other groups in Aotearoa; this draft is expected out by Christmas. In it, there will also be the formation of a sector reference group from across industries, and an expanded working group to drive the mahi forward.