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Manawatū-Whanganui

Find jobs, courses, business support and events in heartland New Zealand, the agriculturally-rich Manawatū-Whanganui region

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Free career advice

Are you looking for career advice?

Book a free one-on-one session with a qualified career expert who can guide you in:

  • looking and preparing for job opportunities
  • exploring study and training options
  • understanding your transferable skills
  • creating a personalised career plan

Online and phone appointments are available across the country. To request an appointment, call us at 0800 222 733 or email  direct_careers@msd.govt.nz

Face-to-face appointments are available at:

Palmerston North
Where: Work and Income, 575 Main Street, Palmerston North 

Jobs for you

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Mayors taskforce for jobs - Ruapehu

Are you a young person living in rural New Zealand facing challenges entering into the work force?

Do these challenges include:

  • A lack of access to opportunities to grow your skills,
  • Driver licencing competency and confidence, and
  • A general lack of access to employers?

If you are a young person currently not in education, employment or training, the Mayor’s Taskforce can help you.

You can receive mentoring, support and guidance while getting alongside employers to create opportunities for employment in the Ruapehu District.

Contact: mtfj@ckcreap.org.nz

Register your interest (external link)

Hospitality Jobs

Would you like to join a thriving industry serving up great customer experiences?

There are a number of jobs across Manawatū-Whanganui where you can assist in providing top-notch service to customers.

You will be working in a fast-paced environment and will need flexibility to choose from roster-based shifts. Most jobs are entry level and ideal if you are willing to explore the hospitality industry.

You could be working as a:

  • Kitchen Hand
  • Barista
  • Cook
  • Food and Beverage Attendant, and more.
Explore jobs (external link)

Be dressed for success

Do you have an interview coming up or are starting a new role and have no formal outfit?

Dress for Success appointments are aimed at women who may not be able to afford the upfront costs of a suitable outfit.

Book a work readiness session (1 hour approx.), with a stylist and wardrobe assistant. You will receive advice and support, along with at least 1 full outfit to keep.

Work readiness sessions are open by appointment only and are available for interviews, formal appointments, and starting employment. 

To book your session booking@workmanawatu.org.nz

More Manawatū-Whanganui jobs

Looking for other work? Check out Work and Income’s recruitment website Kimi Mahi Mai.

Kimi Mahi Mai, Find a Job is for anyone looking for work – you don’t have to be on a benefit. If you find a job you’re interested in, contact Work and Income to be put in touch with the employer.  

Visit Find a Job (external link)

Study and training

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Move into a trade apprenticeship

Complete a four-week training programme before moving into an apprenticeship.

The training programme will equip you with soft and technical skills, cultural development, licensing, and the required certification to support you through to the next stage, being employment.

You will be supported by a team who are dedicated to empowering whānau in our community through education and employment.

There are a variety of trades available, such as:

  • Electrical
  • Plumbing & Gasfitting
  • Building & Construction
  • Arborist
  • Landscaping, and more.
Submit your interest now (external link)

Upskill with Literacy Aotearoa

Literacy Aotearoa have a wide range of classes in Palmerston North, Feilding and online with rolling start dates.

Upskill in the digital world, better your literacy and numeracy skills and learn our official languages (Sign Language or Te Reo Māori). Literacy Aotearoa can also help with upskilling employees in workplace literacy and numeracy.

The following courses are now open for you to join at any point:

Intensive Literacy and Numeracy
When: Wednesday, 10am - 12pm
Where: Palmerston North City Library, The Square

Sign Language Beginners
When: Wednesday, 6pm - 8pm
Where: Community House, 131 Manchester St, Feilding

Sign Language Advanced
When: Thursday, 6pm - 8pm
Where: Feilding Library, 10 Goodbehere St, Feilding

Online Basic Digital Literacy - Weekly online sessions for students wanting to learn more basic digital literacy.

Online Te Reo Beginners - Weekly held during the day or in the evening.

Enquire bravelich.206@literacy.org.nz or ring the office on (06) 368 6064

Find out more (external link)

Choose your course

Whatever level you’d like to study at, you can find a course to suit you in Manawatū-Whanganui

Click on the link below to find the field of study and type of qualification to interest you. Qualifications range from certificate level 1-3 to doctorates.

Find your course now (external link)

Business support

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Māori women's development

Māori Women’s Development Inc Supports wāhine Māori and their whānau in business.

Māori Women’s Development Inc is a unique, indigenous financial institution. Governed, managed and operated by wāhine Māori, for the economic development of wāhine Māori and their whānau.

MWDI provide micro-loans, business coaching and financial capability programmes. MWDI loans to Māori women and their whānau to enable and assist them to enter into and commence business and/or to expand and restructure their existing businesses.

Find out more (external link)

Grow your Māori business network

Meet and engage with the Whanganui Māori Business Network.

Te Manu Atatū connects you with other Māori business and the local business community.

Here is an exciting opportunity to meet and engage with fellow Māori entrepreneurs, professionals, and business leaders by joining the network. By becoming a member, you will be empowered through networking, education, support, connection, and celebration.

To be able to join you will:

  • Identify as Māori
  • Be a business owner
  • Be an Employee
  • Be a Professional
  • Be a student or job seeker
  • Live in the wider Whanganui region.
Join the network (external link)

Grow your Business

Do you need help to grow your business?

It’s a big decision to start your own business and it can be difficult to figure out what the first step is.

Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) has a team of Business Growth Advisors supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors across the Manawatū-Whanganui region, who are offering a wealth of information to make it easy to get started on your business journey.

Find out more (external link)

Starting a business in Whanganui?

Get Your business off to a great start with support from Whanganui & Partners.

Whanganui & Partners district’s strategic advantages have led to the development of a rich and diverse economy, known for innovative and niche businesses, and welcome new businesses to the community.

Every business start-up has different needs, and you will be connected to people who can help guide you through the process of getting your vision off the ground. 

For more information (external link)

Business Development Support - Ruapehu

Starting a new business or looking to expand?

The Ruapehu District Council is committed to constant improvement in customer experience by giving timely and correct information to customers including businesses.

If you want to start a new business, or have an existing business you want to expand or move to Ruapehu, set up a meeting with the Business Development and Relationship Manager.

The council can help you navigate any regulations or consents you may require, and help you interpret and understand information on Ruapehu's economy. This is a free service.

Contact Peggy on 07 895 8188 to book an appointment.

Te Heke Mai

Te Heke Mai is a coaching programme providing support

Te Heke Mai is a coaching programme providing support to anyone who is looking for work, in training or starting new jobs.

Through a handy app, friendly real-life coaches help you to set goals specific to your individual journey and support and coach you through your journey and towards achieving your goals.

Te Heke Mai is designed to mentor and help individuals grow the skills to manage life and work challenges.

To discuss further email hello@tehekemai.co.nz or Phone 0800 938474

For more information (external link)

Your business and tax

Attend Face to face seminars or webinars to guide you setting up your business correctly to meet your tax obligations.

Inland Revenue (IR) offers three practical sessions:

  • Starting a business? Introduction to Business offers information on the different ways to structure your business, expenses you can claim, and how income tax and provisional tax works.
  • Are you registered for GST or thinking of registering for GST? GST is to help you learn who needs to register for GST, what GST is charged on, what information must be recorded and how to send this to them, and ceasing your GST registration.
  • Are you employing? The Employers session covers who needs to register as an employer, and what information must be recorded and how to send it to IR.

With a choice of format, don't miss out and register today!

Check your options (external link)

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