A group of Porirua secondary school students have begun hands-on work placements with Porirua City Council as part of the Mahi Rangatahi programme, now in its fifth year.
Eleven students from four local colleges were welcomed into council teams last week, where they will work one day a week during term 2. Placements span a range of departments including Arena Fitness, Economic Development, Pacific Strategy, Māori Strategy, Waste Minimisation, Democratic Services, Policy and Strategy, Pātaka, and Communications and Marketing.
The programme is designed to give students practical experience of the workplace. Participants prepare a CV, apply for a role, and complete an interview process before starting their placements.
Mahi Rangatahi was first introduced as a pilot in 2022 following feedback from local schools seeking more opportunities for students to explore career pathways.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said the initiative supports the council’s goal of putting young people at the centre of decision-making.
“It’s fantastic to see these young faces around our council teams, learning real skills and hopefully getting some genuine experience with their mentors. I wish them well,” Baker said.
At the end of the programme, students receive references from their managers to support future job applications. Feedback is also gathered from students, parents, mentors, and careers advisers to help refine the programme.
Students interested in exploring career options can also attend the Porirua Careers Expo on Tuesday 5 May at Te Rauparaha Arena. The free event runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm.