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

Book a one-to-one session with a career expert to make a personalised career plan. 

This free, one-on-one career advice and support includes:
  • Creating a personalised career plan
  • Exploring training and study options
  • Looking for job opportunities
  • Writing and updating CVs
  • Preparing for job interviews

To request an over the phone session, email Connectedtaumarunui@msd.govt.nz or Connectedpalmerstonnorth@msd.govt.nz or Connectedwhanganui@msd.govt.nz

Hi-vis truckers

Maintenance General Labourers

Join a dynamic agricultural and roading company in your community.

Seeking two keen labourers for clearing local walking tracks, felling trees, and spraying public roadsides working Monday - Friday with occasional weekend work.

Duties include:

  • Operating a chainsaw
  • Weed control
  • Chemical handling
  • Grow safe
  • Fencing
  • Wood splitting
  • Working from heights
  • Traffic controllers and STMS
For more information (external link)

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, or due to the economic situation perhaps you have lost your recent employment due to the impacts of COVID-19 then we want to hear from you!

We offer 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)

More Manawatū-Whanganui jobs

Looking for other work? Check out Find a Job, Work and Income’s recruitment website.

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

Move into a trade apprenticeship

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

Whanganui, Tupoho are offering an opportunity to move into a trade apprenticeship. 

The training programme will equipe 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 motivated and focused. Supported by a team who are dedicated to empowering whānau in our community through education and employment.

A select number of spaces are available for Roofing, Plumbing and Gas fitting, Joinery, Metal and Greenkeeping. 

Registrations are now open. 

Interested? Register (external link)

Upskill with Literacy Aotearoa

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

Whether you want to upskill in the digital world, better your literacy and numeracy skills, want to learn our official languages (Sign Language or Te Reo Māori) there is a course suitable for you! Literacy Aotearoa can also help with upskilling employees in workplace literacy and numeracy.

The following courses are now open 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

For more information (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)
Open for business

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)

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)

Heartland Services Taumarunui

Need support to navigate government services and make an appointment to meet an advisor?

Heartland Services is your one-stop-shop to accessing government agencies:

  • Get support with completing forms and applications for services
  • Meet the team and have help with access to your email, a printer, phone and internet services

Open Monday-Friday 8.30am-12pm, 12.30-4.30pm
Ph: 07 896 8680 or call into our office at 115 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui

Find out more (external link)

Māori women's development

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

Today 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 & 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)

Business Development Support

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.

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)

Central North Island Business Growth and Support Webinars

Digitally connecting you with business support and services available to all industry sectors across the Central North Island.

The Central North Island Business Growth and Support Virtual Conference was brought to you by Connected.govt.nz and DigitalBoost.co.nz, to connect you with business support and services available, to all industry sectors across the Central North Island.

Watch as many sessions as you’d like, to hear about the offerings provided by the agency presenting.

  • Connected - Connecting you to support for your business 
  • Employment.govt.nz - An introduction and update to your rights and responsibilities as an employer
  • Business.govt.nz - Tools and expert advice from government and industry, designed to help kiwi businesses
  • Te Puni Kōkiri - Services by Māori, for Māori and with Māori, to support the growth and sustainability of your business
  • NZ Trade and Enterprise - Helping New Zealand Businesses to grow internationally
  • Manawatū Business Chamber - Encouraging and supporting integrated business growth that creates wealth and employment throughout the Manawatū region
  • Taranaki Chamber of Commerce - The voice of Taranaki business championing the local economy as a force for economic growth, job creation and prosperity
  • He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki - Bringing together and supporting Māori business for growth and development
  • Whanganui & Partners - Build your business. A central location, healthy economy, developed infrastructure and low operating costs make us a destination of choice.
  • Māori Women's Development Inc - Supporting wāhine Māori and their whānau in business
  • EMA - Supporting New Zealand organisations through business training courses, network support & business advocacy groups
  • Amotai - Unlocking opportunities for Māori and Pasifika businesses through supplier diversity
  • Ministry of Social Development - Work brokerage, financial support and more for you and your business
  • Inland Revenue - Here to support you, whether you’re new to business or need some help to get on the right track
  • Digital Boost - Helping your business move into the digital world
Watch anytime (external link)

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)

Drop-in or make an appointment to visit your local Connected centre to find out about how government agencies can help you find a job, training or business support.

Taumarunui

MSD/Work and Income Employment Centre
Meredith House
Marae Street
Taumarunui 3920

Whanganui

MSD/Work and Income Employment Centre
153 St Hill Street
Whanganui 4500

Palmerston North

MSD/Work and Income Employment Centre
521 Main Street
Palmerston North 4410

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