Katheren Leitner
Chief Executive — Te Hononga Akoranga COMET
Over the past four weeks, we've explored the critical 8•16•40 crisis facing New Zealand:
- Only 8% of STEM tertiary students currently come from Māori and Pasifika communities
- In just 16 years, demographic changes will dramatically reshape our workforce
- 40% of New Zealand's workforce under 40 will be Māori or Pasifika
The cost of inaction is too high #
If we continue down our current path, the consequences for New Zealand will be:
- Persistent and worsening skills shortages across critical industries
- No improvement in productivity rates
- Diminished international competitiveness
- Limited career opportunities for a significant portion of our population
- Widening socio-economic disparities
- Missed innovation opportunities in areas where we could lead
The 8•16•40 crisis isn't just a problem for Māori and Pasifika communities — it's a challenge that affects our entire nation's prosperity and future.
Our future workforce is already sitting in classrooms across Aotearoa. And whether they become tomorrow’s innovators, engineers, digital creators or problem solvers depends on the decisions we make today.
Why industry matters more than ever #
You don’t need to be a large corporation to make a difference. Whether you’re a local business owner, a project manager or part of a national enterprise, your workplace has something invaluable to offer.
When students — especially Māori and Pasifika — see someone like them succeeding in STEM careers, it sparks something powerful. It builds belonging. It unlocks new aspirations.
And it starts with real people, real projects and real opportunities.
What industry engagement looks like
Industry engagement isn’t about grand gestures and deep pockets — it’s about building authentic, practical relationships that evolve over time.
Right now we have a group of students learning about food science so they can take control of food sovereignty at their school. We have another group exploring what is required to build industrial exercise equipment so everyone in their community can use it. Community planners, health experts and engineers are working alongside these rangatahi as they explore solutions.
Your business may have a project it is about to start work on. Having a group of students work in tandem with the project can be a powerful experience for all. Engagement can begin with small, manageable steps and grow into deeper opportunities — like curriculum-aligned partnerships or co-designed community projects that embody your company’s purpose and create lasting impact.
COMET and STEM Alliance Aotearoa know how to work with businesses to develop meaningful, place-based STEM partnerships that align with your people, values and long-term goals.
Our team works with you to:
- Plan strategic engagement based on your business priorities and outcomes
- Connect you with local schools and community initiatives
- Engage your staff to build confidence and competence in community mentoring and communication
- Evaluate the impact, helping you track and share outcomes that matter
We need New Zealand businesses to help young New Zealanders see themselves in the future of STEM — because they can’t become what they can’t see.
What’s in it for your organisation?
This isn’t just about giving back — it’s about strategic advantage.
- Engage with your community on projects that have an impact in their lives
- Increase your brand visibility within the community
- Implement meaningful ESG projects with authentic, measurable outcomes
- Foster employee pride and engagement through purpose-driven work
- Stay ahead of the curve in workforce development
Research shows that companies investing in youth-focused STEM initiatives experience higher retention, lower recruitment costs, and greater innovation capacity.
COMET can help you start
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you’re exploring possibilities or ready to commit to a full community engagement project, COMET is here to support you to invest effectively.