Marae bans women from construction site

A Stuff report in early April has raised the ire of many in the wider construction industry.

Mokau Marae in Northland has banned women from the construction site while their marae buildings are being rebuilt following a 2012 fire. This action is a traditional risk management strategy based on protecting women as the bearers of future generations, but is seen as potentially detering young women from working in construction at all according to Samuelu Sefuiva, the project manager of Auckland-based Māori & Pasifika Trades Training.

"We acknowledge and respect [the] integrity of customary practice and norms. However, that needs to work alongside the contemporary need for getting more of our people – women or men – into trades," he said.

NAWIC Chair Jenny Parker agrees. “It’s very interesting and dismaying to see this happening once again,” she said. Current work being carried out is Stage Two of a two-stage project, due for completion in 2020. “While being respectful to all, I believe we need to support women who want to be part of an inclusive and gender-equal building industry.”

Women are playing a bigger role in New Zealand than ever before. Our Minister for Building and Construction is Jenny Salesa, and Dame Patsy Reddy is our Governor General. Jacinda Ardern our Prime Minister has gained international recognition for her inclusive and compassionate leadership.

There are increasing numbers of Maori and Pasifika women working in construction and infrastructure, and NAWIC would like to see more. We believe women have an equal status on any building site and should be able to carry out their role without gender being an issue.

What do you think? We welcome all respectful comments.

For the Stuff report, see https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/111991454/northland-marae-bans-women-from-site-during-building-phase