Pacific young people will have new opportunities to enter New Zealand’s growing gaming and technology sector through Game On, a four‑year initiative announced today by Minister for Pacific Peoples, Dr Shane Reti.
The Game On initiative will support Pacific youth to turn their interest in gaming into real employment opportunities in an industry facing ongoing skill shortages. The initiative aims to place up to 57 Pacific young people into well‑paid tech and gaming careers, with starting salaries between $65,000 and $80,000.
Dr Reti said the initiative is designed to build confidence, open doors, and create long‑term opportunities for Pacific communities.
“Pacific young people bring creativity, fresh perspectives and strong collaborative strengths to industries like gaming and technology. Game On helps them take the next step by building real skills and giving them direct experience in the industry,” Dr Reti said.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples will invest $1 million over four years, with industry partners matching this funding. Game On is delivered in partnership with The Cause Collective, Tupu Toa, PikPok and the New Zealand Game Developers Association.
Game On builds on the Ministry’s wider work to improve Pacific outcomes in STEM.
“This dual pathway ensures we are creating opportunities for Pacific youth at every level, giving them a genuine shot at careers they may not have known existed. Our partnership is about moving into future industries while dismantling the barriers that have traditionally limited access to opportunity and elevating Pacific youth into careers shaping Aotearoa’s future,” Aroha Armstrong, Chief Executive at TupuToa says.
Through school outreach, studio visits, mentoring and internships, Pacific learners will have practical opportunities to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers in real studio environments.
Lui Poe, Chief of Operations at The Cause Collective says, “Pacific youth bring incredible creative energy, collaborative skills, and cultural perspectives that our gaming industry needs. Game On removes the barriers that have kept these young people out of these high-value careers."
Tyrone McAuley, Chief Operating Officer and Founder at PikPok, New Zealand's largest game studio, says Game On gives the studio a structured way to find talent and bring diverse perspectives into their teams.
"We've built a global gaming business right here in New Zealand, but we know we're missing out on talent from Pacific communities. We're committed to not just offering placements but helping build a pipeline that transforms the industry," Mr McAuley says.
The first Game On cohort will begin their training in July 2026.
More information is available on the Beehive website here