The Partnership Approach to Local Employment Generation: Selected Urban Initiatives in New Zealand

Abstract

Local initiatives for employment creation are vital to the mitigation of high unemployment levels of Maori and Pacific Group people in New Zealand. In order that local communities be empowered to determine their own outcomes, however; government, both local and central, private business and community partnerships working to common agendas, are increasingly being seen as a step in the right direction. This paper examines the extent to which the partnership approach to employment creation operates in some labour market disadvantaged urban communities. It details some of the current projects in operation and comments on their progress. It asks if there are common elements which assist the success of such initiatives.