Photo: RNZ
An iwi-lead earn as you learn programme in the Far North is teaching young people the basics of plumbing as it inches closer to the mammoth task of installing nearly 600 drinking water tanks.
Tupu Plumbing is a 1-year pathway programme to a trade apprenticeship, providing hands-on training with wraparound pastoral and cultural support.
The first cohort finished a few weeks ago with six participants installing over 130 tanks, and the second cohort has hit the ground running with intensive classroom training.
The course sits within a wider three-year scheme to improve drinking water access for Māori in Te Hiku, after suffering almost yearly droughts over the last decade.
Mihi Harris is the programme director for Puna Wai Ora, and she speaks to Kathryn.
