Indigenous inclusion in action
Advancing reconciliation through meaningful engagement and lasting impact across Australia and New Zealand
Through our Reconciliation Action and Māori Engagement Plans, we embed Indigenous knowledge, respect and collaboration into our culture, projects and communities — enhancing connections, cultural understanding and Indigenous partnerships.
At Jacobs, inclusion is more than a value — it’s an action.
We embrace different perspectives, collaborate across cultures and build trust by delivering solutions that reflect and respect the communities we serve.
Our vision for reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion across Australia and New Zealand is to:
- Honor and respect Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worldviews in our culture.
- Create an environment where all feel they belong and thrive.
- Embed Indigenous knowledge into our workplace and our solutions.
- Contribute to structural change initiatives in the broader society.
Jacobs’ Reconciliation Action Plan
Developed with Reconciliation Australia, a Reconciliation Action Plan enables organizations to take meaningful action to advance reconciliation across three core pillars: relationships, respect and opportunities. The plan supports organizations at different stages of their reconciliation journey across four levels: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate.
Jacobs has completed the “Innovate” stage, marking an important milestone in our commitment to reconciliation. Delivered over two years, this phase focused on strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and driving meaningful organizational change.
While completing the Innovate plan is a significant step, reconciliation is ongoing. We’re continuing this work with respect, purpose and accountability while focusing on deepening engagement, increasing Indigenous participation across our business and embedding reconciliation into how we operate every day as we plan for the “Stretch” level.
Māori inclusion
Jacobs’ Māori inclusion journey began with He Putiputi Hou (The Dandelion Project, 2023–2024), our first Māori Inclusion Action Plan in Aotearoa New Zealand. This plan set the foundation for building cultural competence and strengthening support for both Māori and non-Māori.
Waiho i te toipoto. Kaua i te toiroa. — Let us keep close together, not far apart.
Guided by five Pou (core) values — Manaakitanga (care and respect), Whanaungatanga (relationships), Kōtahitanga (collective action), Rangatiratanga (leadership) and Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) — the plan laid the groundwork for continued growth through a collaborative and values-led approach.
Building on this foundation, we’ve now launched He Korowai Manaaki (2025–2026), our Māori Engagement Plan. Meaning “a cloak of care and support,” it builds on the mahi (work) of the Jacobs Māori Rōpū (Māori group or Māori network) and is led by Pou Ārahi (Māori Advisory Lead) Paora Sharples, with support from the Māori Rōpū.
He Korowai Manaaki focuses on four key areas:
- Strengthening relationships with Māori communities, businesses and stakeholders through authentic engagement and collaboration.
- Enhancing cultural competency across the workforce to deepen understanding of Māori culture, values and traditions.
- Integrating Māori perspectives into planning and decision-making to ensure inclusive strategies that reflect a range of viewpoints.
- Promoting clear and respectful communication to keep employees informed, engaged and aligned while celebrating shared achievements.
Indigenous engagement and collaboration
Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium
As part of our broader commitment to supplier inclusion, we have extended our strategic collaboration partnership with the Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC), a leading organization that connects Indigenous-owned businesses with major projects across Australia. Signed in December 2025, the two-year extension builds on a strong relationship established in 2023 and continues support for Indigenous businesses across the infrastructure sector.
Since this work began, we have worked closely with iDiC to deliver a wide range of projects that support Indigenous-owned businesses and strengthen relationships across the sector.
iDiC plays a key role in creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to participate in large-scale infrastructure and defense projects. Through this collaboration, we’re strengthening engagement with Indigenous suppliers and expanding participation across our work and projects.
This work also supports the growth of Indigenous businesses and future talent across the supply chain. Together, we’re building capability, driving sustainable growth and delivering meaningful outcomes for Indigenous communities across Australia.
Jacobs and DeadlyScience: Powering future problem solvers
As part of our company-wide active community engagement and giving approach, our new partnership with DeadlyScience s expanding culturally grounded science, technology, engineering and mathematics education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners across remote and regional Australia. DeadlyScience delivers hands-on programs that connect Indigenous knowledge with science, enabling students to build confidence, strengthen cultural identity and see themselves as future problem solvers.
As part of this work, we’re supporting DeadlyLabs, an initiative designed to explore renewable energy in communities where diesel-powered electricity remains common. The program introduces late elementary (primary) and early high school (secondary) students to solar concepts through hands-on learning, combining scientific principles with Indigenous knowledge of the environment and sustainable practices.
Focused on empowerment, DeadlyLabs encourages students to ask questions, explore ideas and develop practical solutions that reflect community knowledge and priorities. Jacobs is contributing technical insights and real-world experience to support the program’s development, inspiring curiosity and supporting a more sustainable future shaped by First Nations perspectives.
Engineering Aid Australia (Jacobs and Engineering Aid Australia: Inspiring First Nations Futures)
Our partnership with Engineering Aid Australia provides pathways for young First Nations students to explore advanced education and future opportunities in engineering and technology. Through the Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES), students bring their unique talents and perspectives to the forefront during their critical high school years, gaining access, opportunities and awareness of future study.
The IAES programs are delivered nationally, bringing together students, families, educators, universities and industry. Grounded in cultural safety and connection, the program provides academic support and exposure to real-world engineering environments that allow students to see how engineering shapes everyday life and supports essential services.
Our three-year commitment focuses on delivering practical industry connections that complement this experience, including technical site visits and opportunities to collaborate with engineers working on major projects. This strength-based collaboration enables students to expand their horizons and see themselves leading to future solutions, supporting a more inclusive and representative engineering workforce.
Pūhoro STEMM Academy
Jacobs continues to collaborate with Pūhoro STEMM Academy for a second year, supporting rangatahi Māori (Māori youth) to thrive across Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Mātauranga Māori (STEMM) pathways grounded in both technical excellence and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). Since 2025, this work has focused on empowering Māori youth through education, mentorship and culturally grounded support that builds confidence, strengthens identity and creates pathways into further study and future careers.
Over the past year, we have supported Pūhoro’s kaupapa (shared purpose) through hands-on engagement, including facilitating STEMM workshops and creating opportunities to connect directly with technical professionals. These experiences complement Pūhoro’s learning model by connecting theory with real-world experience and strengthen Māori youth participation in STEMM.
We have also supported internship opportunities that provide exposure to professional workplaces, bridging the transition from education to employment. This work reflects a shared belief that Māori excellence in STEMM is strongest when cultural knowledge and technical capability are valued together, supporting future practitioners grounded in both identity and opportunity.
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We embed Indigenous inclusion into how we work across Australia and New Zealand, drawing on Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives to shape more inclusive outcomes.
Australia and New Zealand Director of Reconciliation and Indigenous Inclusion -
Our Reconciliation Action Plan drives organizational change by integrating reconciliation into everyday thinking and business practices, supported by clear accountability and measurable progress.
National Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Lead -
Our Māori Engagement Plan reflects a Te Ao Māori lens, guiding how we engage with clients and communities and make decisions in ways that honor Māori values and aspirations across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Pou Ārahi (Māori Advisory Lead) -
Cultural understanding strengthens how we engage with clients and communities and ensures Māori values are reflected in how we approach our work and the outcomes we deliver.
Māori Cultural Coordinator (Poutoko Ahurea Māori)
Meet some of the team members
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Australia and New Zealand Director of Reconciliation and Indigenous Inclusion -
National Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Lead -
Pou Ārahi (Māori Advisory Lead) -
Māori Cultural Coordinator (Poutoko Ahurea Māori)
