Kaiāwhina Workforce Action Plan: 5-Year Action Plan #2 is Go Live

The first and formative 5-year Kaiāwhina Workforce Action Plan 2015-2020 concluded in June 2020, having helped to build an enduring foundation for the future of the Kaiāwhina workforce.

The new five year Plan has inspired the whakatauākī written by Turaukawa Bartlett, Kaiwhakahononga and Aimee Bartlett Kaiwhakahononga Hapai at Careerforce. This taonga reflects the spirit of the Plan mahi and will help guide the evolution of the mahi as it continues beyond the next five years.
Mā te āwhina, e ora ai te torohū o te Kaiāwhina - Nurturing the limitless potential of the Kaiāwhina workforce.

As New Zealand’s population grows and ages, it is vital that Kaiāwhina continue to be developed and supported to achieve their full potential as members of the interprofessional team. The Plan aims to increase the visibility and profile of this essential workforce as valuable, competent, and integral members of the New Zealand health and disability system. Guidance from the workforce itself will be integral to navigating and informing the next part of their journey.

The 2020-2025 Kaiāwhina Workforce Action Plan has five Priorities which are the focus of the work programme. To gain broad sector engagement and input to each of the priorities a network of people and organisations has been established to form interest-based groups with a commitment to the common agenda for that priority. Kaiāwhina engagement in these networks to bring their voice to the mahi is a key intent.

The networks will involve virtual meetings approximately two-monthly to gain guidance and advice on particular actions and to organise specific topic groups/forums to progress items. Members of the networks bring their knowledge, skills, connections, influence and passion to the work programme for their priority.

Networks will be adaptive and flexible with additional people being invited to join a network for specific topics to keep forward momentum and to help ensure that the voices of a diverse number of stakeholders are brought to the table.

Careerforce CE and co-chair of the Kaiāwhina Workforce Taskforce, Jane Wenman comments

“we are delighted to see reference to this workforce (Kaiāwhina) in the Final Report of the Health and Disability System Review led by Heather Simpson.

It’s another example that Kaiāwhina are now on the radar of sector leaders and seen as being a significant contributor to the wellbeing of many in Aotearoa”.

You can view and download this report here.