What is Vakameasina?

Vakameasina (translating to ‘treasures we carry together’) is an education and development programme for seasonal horticultural workers. Seasonal workers come to New Zealand for up to 7 – 9 months at a time under the NZ Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, which continues to develop with the growing horticulture industry across New Zealand. The contributing Pacific Island countries of Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Nauru and Papua New Guinea make up the participants in the programme.

Funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Aid Programme, the Vakameasina RSE Worker Training Programme offers free education and development opportunities for all RSE workers across New Zealand. Vakameasina is an integral component of the RSE Scheme and supports both RSE workers and employers with foundational courses for living and working in New Zealand. Vakameasina aims to support individuals to pursue their own learning and development pathways by helping to grow confidence with new learning here in New Zealand; the larger outcomes of the programme are aimed toward participants leading development opportunities and action plans for applying learning and resourcing in their home countries. There are a number of elective avenues RSE workers can pursue.

Locations:

  • Northland
  • Pukekohe
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Hawke’s Bay
  • Nelson
  • Marlborough
  • Canterbury
  • Central Otago

Also available in other regions depending on tutor availability.

Courses available (note some may not offered in all regions):

  • Essential Learning
  • NZ Road Code
  • Leadership
  • Women’s Leadership
  • Youth Leadership
  • Small Business
  • Building
  • Computing
  • Money Matters
  • Climate Change Resilience
  • Disaster Risk Management
  • Solar Power
  • Plumbing
  • Small Engines
  • Cooking & Hospitality
  • Composting Toilets

Duration:

Typically, 20 one-hour courses over ten weeks with flexibility to customise courses to suit circumstances.

Funding:

Vakameasina is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Aid Programme.

This programme will:

  • Improve your English language literacy and numeracy.
  • Develop knowledge and skills to help whilst working in New Zealand.
  • Develop knowledge and skills to take home and share with family and community.

Entry and selection criteria:

  • Must be part of the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme.

For information about Vakameasina, please visit the Vakameasina Website.

Vakameasina provides overseas vineyard workers with literacy, numeracy and life skills | Stuff.co.nz