“… a lot of our young people are needing a bit more than the usual support that’s provided in terms of doing a CV; those were basics that once upon a time was enough but, as of late, a lot of our young people need a little bit of extra support” – Matele Misa, Affirming Works
At a cafe in Mt Eden Auckland, staff member Ambahlika Chand says the opportunity to be part of the team at Tupu’anga Coffee has given her not only a job but the chance to learn new skills that will potentially set her up for future employment .
She credits an internship at Affirming Works, that provides innovative mentoring and educational programmes, leading to her getting a job. Ambah is well aware of how tough it is out there and even tougher for youth.
Statistics NZ latest figures released mid-year paint a grim picture. For the June quarter, the unemployment rate across the country rose to 5.6 percent. Broken down by ethnicity it is alarming:
- 11.6 percent for Pacific peoples
- 10.8 percent for Māori
- 5.0 percent for Asians
- 4.2 percent for Europeans.
The number of unemployed youth sits at 19.6 percent for those aged between 15 and 24. Adding to this is more than eight thousand people experiencing long term unemployment.
Faced with these numbers, Ambah understands how lucky she is to have a job.
“There are so many young people who want jobs and so many people who could be working here who could have this opportunity and I’m so lucky to even be surrounded in a space that actually cares about my well being.”
Fellow Tupu’anga work colleague Charles Percival agrees and understands how hard it is for young people to find jobs in a competitive market.
“It’s probably hard because you’re going against more experienced people and they have these skills that we don’t have yet.”
Matele Misa, Operational Director for Affirming Works based in Otara says employment across the country is a big issue especially in South Auckland where a high number of Pacific and Maori youth live.
“It’s definitely something that we’re experiencing here, and there are a lot of factors that come to play,” Misa says.
“We are seeing in the work that we do that a lot of our young people are needing a bit more than the usual support that’s provided in terms of doing a CV; those were basics that once upon a time was enough but, as of late, a lot of our young people need a little bit of extra support.”
And support to help people get into jobs is what Liaina Tuaau currently needs. Based in Otara and looking for work while volunteering for the Otara Guardian Collective, he wants more action from the current government and officials.
“I went to the Work and Income, I said to them, ‘oh can you start looking for me a
job?’, because that’s what they campaigned for to help people to get a job, and you know what they turned around and said to me? “You have to look for yourself.”
Affirming Works founder and executive director Emeline Afeaki – Mafile’o who created the social enterprise organisation 25 years ago and, alongside her husband, created Tupu’anga Coffee, says the struggle is real and is disappointed at the lack of support for people looking for work.
“I struggle with the intense effect that has on one community of unemployment for our people versus the spread of unemployment,” she says.
“Obviously then there’s multiple stresses there with housing and cost of living, children’s health and well being and you know across generations… I try not to be overwhelmed with the multiplying problems so we try to come out with a multiplying effect on how we service our people.”
While many continue to search for jobs while dealing with a sluggish economy, organisations like Affirming Works are doing their part to support the wider communities to find their feet.
For Ambahlika Chand she is optimistic and encourages people not to give up.
“There’s always a way, there’s always a path, there’s always something. It doesn’t matter, just open the book, write something down, write your CV, upload it, walk into the doors. It may feel shut but speak to people;, you never know who you’ll meet.”
Meanwhile Affirming Works and Tupu’anga Coffee will continue to support the community with their programmes and employment. For Afeaki-Mafile’o she says they will continue their work serving the community.
“Every season has its own rewards… so it’s actually supporting youth or young people to grow to make more decisions for themselves that they can own and follow through. We used to say make the right decisions but I think resilience goes a long way.”
