CPB Contractors Senior Site Administrator Stanley Aranga (Ngāi Tuhoe) recently completed the Kia Tupu Kia Toa leadership course in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).
The Kia Tupu Kia Toa (To Grow to be Warriors) course, delivered by social enterprise Tupu Toa, is specifically designed to develop the skills Māori and Pacific professionals need to move into leadership roles.
Over five months, participants, including Stanley, engaged in a comprehensive wananga (outlines) and explored a range of subjects, including cultural identity and self-awareness, strategic road mapping, leadership and goal setting, mindset transformation, effective communication, the art of selling and storytelling, as well as legacy projects and presentations.
Human Resources Manager – Michelle Tubbs shares that CPB Contractors has had a longstanding partnership with Tupu Toa, who engage with Māori and Pasifika communities to create pathways into the construction industry.
“CPB Contractors is committed to developing its people and fostering a diverse and inclusive team. We’re proud to provide opportunities, like the Kia Tupu Kia Toa, to our Māori and Pasifika team members,” adds Michelle.
“We want congratulate Stanley on his incredible contribution to the event where he powerfully opened the gathering with a heartfelt and eloquent mihimihi—a traditional speech of greeting that set the tone for the event. His words not only honoured everyone present but also paid deep respect to those who came before us, weaving together the past, present, and future in a way that truly resonated. It was a moving and inspiring start and one that reminded us of the importance of connection and reflection. Ka mau te wehi, Stanley! Ka pai, me ngā mihi nui ki a Stanley”, adds Michelle.
CPB Contractors, in partnership with Tupu Toa, continue to engage with Māori and Pasifika communities to create pathways for students into careers in the construction industry. This partnership not only provides 12 weeks of paid employment to at least three new and existing interns annually and, where suitable, considers each intern for the CIMIC graduate program and other ongoing employment opportunities but also includes participation in programs like Kia Tupu Kia Toa.