“He aha te mea nui o te ao He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.”
While constructing the largest transport infrastructure project in New Zealand, City Rail Link (CRL) has the opportunity to effect positive change for many Aucklanders.
CRL and the project’s contractor, Link Alliance, seek social outcomes during the delivery phase of the project that have lasting positive effects on the communities of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
CRL and Link Alliance’s delivery of social outcomes centres around four objectives: to create training, generate employment, develop social innovation opportunities and support our future workforce are the backbone of the Social Outcomes Strategy and stand alongside promoting a broader understanding of Māori culture and values.
These objectives target people who face barriers or disadvantage in the workforce, with a focus on Mana Whenua, Māori, Pacific Peoples and youth. Connecting people with real opportunities through employment training and social innovation.
On this page, you will find information about how CRL contractors, Link Alliance, are working to effect positive change.
Social Outcomes Hua a Hapori
Target and focus groups
In Aotearoa New Zealand, a number of people face barriers or are disadvantaged in the workforce. These occur for a number of reasons and can create significant hardship for those affected.
The social outcomes objectives and mahi (work) targets a diverse group of people who experience barriers or disadvantages in the workforce, with a focus on Mana Whenua, Māori, Pacific Peoples and Youth.
By targeting these groups the project endeavours to remove some of the barriers and disadvantages rangatahi face within the construction industry and wider workforce. City Rail Link’s contractors Link Alliance deliver the project with objectives specific to achieving positive outcomes for those people within the Target and Focus Groups.
The following graph shows an estimate of the number of people over time required to deliver the CRL contract packages shown by trade. This graph was shared to enable training providers, those thinking about their future careers, agencies involved in supporting those not in employment, education or training and the wider industry and community to understand the scale of opportunity.
Karakia
The CRL project has a strong respect for Māori culture and Māori values and this is reflected in our use of karakia.
Our construction partner, Link Alliance, developed its own karakia which is used across our sites and offices and this video shares some of the journey of its creation and why it’s important to us.
Social Outcomes Advisory Group
In 2020 City Rail Link formed a Social Outcomes Advisory Group to provide guidance and support to help drive better social outcomes.
We would like to acknowledge the support of our advisory group members, past and present:
Fritz Purcell, Senior Engagement Advisor, Ministry of Social Development
Gabriel Kirkwood, Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki, Mana Whenua
Josie Wall, Te Kawerau a Maki, Mana Whenua
Megan McNay, National Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Downer
Peter Martin, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Nancy McConnell, ex Downer
Tania Pouwhare, General Manager, Auckland Council
Thomas Rawiri, Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki, Mana Whenua
Awards
New Zealand Procurement Excellence Forum Supreme Award Winner 2023
City Rail Link scooped the Social Impact, Environmental Impact and Supreme Awards at the 2023 New Zealand Procurement Excellence Forum Supreme Awards.
Feedback from the judges:
"City Rail Link was a clear winner with how they built alliances, delivering on tangible environmental and social procurement. Despite many aspects outside of procurement control, they still managed to deliver excellent results under significant scrutiny and pressure. The benefits into the future cannot be overstated, as they will have an impact on infrastructure, industry, and provide employment opportunities with many years to come".
Infrastructure Sustainability Council Awards 2023
Social Outcomes Legacy Manager Berenize Peita won the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Enduring Impact Award for Individual Contribution to a Sustainable Future.
Infrastructure Sustainability Council Awards 2022
City Rail Link’s social outcomes initiatives were recognised in 2022 at the Infrastructure Sustainability Council Awards with a highly commended award for Excellence in Social Outcomes. The industry celebrated City Rail Link’s PEP in 2020, when it was a finalist for the Social Impact Award at the 2020 ReBuilding Nations Infrastructure New Zealand conference.