These are ‘skills to build skills’: learning to learn, learning for work, and learning for life. The term ‘core transferable skills’ has been deliberately chosen as these skill sets underpin the ability of individuals to gain, value, extend and transfer any skills or knowledge to different contexts. There are five skill sets that make up the Core Transferable Skills.
Click on each skill set below for an explanation with a whakatauki and a definition, you will then see the elements which make up the skill sets. These are the foundations on which the skill sets are built. They are given as guides and examples. Each individual should review these and adjust them based on their experience and situation.
“Kia kaha ake te pakiaka, ka kaha ake te tipu o te rākau.” (The stronger the roots, the stronger the tree will grow.)
This whakataukī emphasises the importance of strong foundations (roots) for growth and success, which is a concept that resonates in many cultures. This is understanding who you are. Our sense of self is strengthened when we are connected not only to ourselves, but our whānau, communities and environment. A strong sense of self means you are reliable, resilient and have a can-do attitude. You can be honest when you self-reflect. You know how to set personal goals, make plans and meet challenges.
You know your strengths and weaknesses. You believe in yourself.
You understand how your background makes you who you are
“He rau rengarenga nā roto I te raukura.” (Listen to the whisperings.)
Traditionally this whakataukī speaks about healing but it also refers to the importance of listening to your intuition for these are the things of the spirit and our ancestors
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You keep trying. You look for opportunities and motivate others to be positive.
“Te whakawhetai me te waiaro.” (Gratitude and attitude.)
This whakataukī encourages us to appreciate what we have and maintain a positive outlook, suggesting that these two elements are key ingredients for a fulfilling and positive outlook.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You own your own well-being. You know your triggers and how to manage them.
“Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.” (I am the river, the river is me.)
This whakataukī references that self-care begins with paying attention. Paying attention to yourself, to the earth, the elements, ancestors.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You understand your place of belonging.
“Ko taku rekereke, ko taku Tūrangawaewae.” (Where I dig my heels is where I make my stand.)
This whakataukī refers to the fact that it doesn’t matter where you were born or raised, your Tūrangawaewae (place of belonging) is anywhere you feel strong and at home.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You set clear goals. You create plans and strategies to reach these.
“Me aro ki nga whetu, Engari me ū ki te whenua.” (Keep your eyes on stars, and your feet on the ground.)
This whakataukī encourages people to aim for the stars but remain realistic and practical.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
“Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere. Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.” (The bird that partakes of the miro berry owns the forest. The bird that partakes of knowledge owns the world.)
This whakataukī emphasises that while physical sustenance provides for immediate needs, knowledge offers limitless opportunities. It encourages lifelong learning as the key to broader horizons and success. This is when you solve problems by finding, using and then sharing knowledge. You fill your personal kete and are confident you can keep learning. You keep a positive mindset about yourself when it gets tough. You are comfortable to either be the learner or to share your experience depending on the situation.
You have a growth mindset.
You are curious and always learning.
“Tangata ako ana I te whare, te turanga ki te marae, tau ana” (A person who is taught at home, will stand collected on the Marae)
This whakataukī highlights the value of learning and knowledge gained from one’s family, community and experiences. This instils the confidence in a person of their knowledge collected throughout their life.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You regularly stop and consider what is happening around you. You search for understanding and meaning.
“Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamua” (Look back and reflect so you can move forward)
This whakataukī encourages us to look back on where we have been and our connection to the present allows us to consider what the future holds and the pure potential before us.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You think on your feet and come up with solutions when changes are needed
“Moea to poi, moea to taiaha” (Sleep with your poi, sleep with your taiaha)
This whakataukī is about being prepared for the unexpected.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You learn and then share
“Kia hōhonu ai te puna kupu”(Let the pool of words fall deep)
This whakataukī suggests that one should strive for depth in understanding and knowledge, valuing profound insights over superficial ones
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
“Whaia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou.” (A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions.)
This whakataukī refers to the need for creative thinking, critical thinking, adaptability and perseverance. In order to solve a problem you need to have all of these. This is when you see connectons and opportunites. You are open to the views of others and new experiences. You need this to get ahead with the technical skills in your work.
When you think critcally you can make sense of informaton, experiences, and ideas. You make informed decisions and can explain clearly your perspective.
You are known for being curious and others ask your advice
You imagine and generate ideas. People say you think outside the box
“Tukua te wairua kia rere ki ngā taumata” (Allow one’s spirit to exercise its potential)
This whakataukī promotes unleashing one’s full creative potential and thinking beyond limitations.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You complete tasks. You explore and analyse different solutions when your work is not straight-forward.
“Ka mate kāinga tahi, ka ora kāinga rua” (There is more than one way to achieve an objective)
This whakataukī highlights the importance of flexibility and considering multiple approaches when solving problems
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You innovate through wisdom, resilience and action.
“I orea te tuatara ka patu ki waho” (A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions)
This whakataukī refers to the need for creative thinking, critical thinking, adaptability and perseverance. In order to solve a problem you need to have all of these.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
“Whīria te tangata, toitū te mātauranga.” (If you weave the people, you weave their knowledge.)
This whakataukī signifies the importance of collaboration. It speaks from the perspective of collective knowledge is greater than single knowledge. It can be used to connect people, cultures and individuals with different viewpoints.
You can get things done because a wide range of people trust you.
You listen actively and respectfully to others
“Whakarongo ki te hau ka rere ki te tonga, ki te hau ka rere ki te raki. (Listen to the wind that blows from the south, and to the wind that blows from the north.)
This whakataukī encourages being attentive to different perspectives and information from all directions, highlighting the value of listening in decision-making.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You communicate well with customers, workmates or other stakeholders in many different settings.
“He tangata ki tahi.” (A person who speaks once.)
This whakataukī highlights the value of speaking with intention and integrity, suggesting that effective communication involves being a person of your word.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You honour the bonds that connect us collectively.
“He hono tangata e kore e motu; ka pa he taura waka e motu.” (Unlike a canoe rope, a human bond cannot be severed.)
This whakataukī emphasises the enduring strength of human relationships. It contrasts the unbreakable nature of human bonds with the fragility of physical objects, like a canoe rope. The whakataukī highlights the core value of whanaungatanga. It serves as a powerful reminder to nurture and prioritize relationships within families, communities and experiences to share.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You cultivate kindness in every action.
“He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai.” (If kindness is sown, then kindness is what you shall receive.)
This whakataukī emphasises the reciprocal nature of kindness, suggesting that acts of love and kindness will lead to receiving the same in return. It highlights the importance of generosity and the positive outcomes that arise from nurturing relationships with care and compassion.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You lift others. You coach or support others to be better in your workplace.
“Mā te kimi ka kite, Mā te kite ka mōhio, Mā te mōhio ka mārama. (Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and become enlightened.)
This whakataukī describes the journey of learning and the encouragement of personal development.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
“Taakiri tū te kōtahitanga, taakiri tū te mana motuhake.” (Independence is strong, unity is stronger.)
This whakatauākī was said by Kīngi Tūheitia in relation to the gathering of iwi across the country. He welcomed everyone’s voices, allowing all to share knowledge, share ideas and have discussions of how the country can proceed ahead with the implementation of our new government. This whakatauāki signifies the collaboration among people who are different in their own way but have the same end goal.This is when you are actively involved in your community. This means you contribute as a group member, you make strong connections with others, and you can create opportunities for others to shine. You have a sense of belonging and the confidence to put your hand up in new situations.
When you master this, you understand the importance of balancing rights, roles, and responsibilities of everyone in your community. You play your part in ensuring your place is a quality environment for everyone.
You get stuck in without prompting and act fairly for everyone.
You take time to understand and respect the culture, belief and background of others. You make sure everyone is welcome.
“E koekoe te tui e ketekete te kaka, e kuku te kererū.” (The tui squawks, the kaka chatters, the kererū coos.)
This whakataukī celebrates diversity and differences. It reminds us that just as different birds have their unique calls, people have their own backgrounds and ways of expressing themselves. This whakataukī encourages appreciation and respect for these differences rather than judging them.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You nourish and grow the collective as one.
“Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.” (With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.)
This whakataukī highlights the power of unity and collective effort. It’s a powerful statement about the importance of community, reciprocity, and working together.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
You lead by nurturing knowledge and sharing it with purpose.
“He aha te kai ō te rangatira? He Kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero.” (What is the food of the leader. It is knowledge. It is communication.)
This whakataukī is about leadership and the two important elements. the first is knowledge and how over many years this may be collected and developed. the second is how the beholder of said knowledge imparts it – therefore how well we communicate it.
Responsibility: works with supervision
Autonomy: becoming independent
Responsibility: leading others
Autonomy: independent
Responsibility: set strategy
Autonomy: leading direction or innovation
