April 21 2026
Automotive trades have long formed an essential yet often unrecognised backbone of military service.
In New Zealand, operational success has depended not only on those on the front line, but on the logistics, transport, and mechanical expertise that keep people and equipment moving.
These roles ensure our forces remain mobile, safe, and ready, often under demanding conditions.
As we mark Anzac Day in 2026, we honour those who served in the past and recognise the legacy they have left behind. That legacy lives on today through those who continue to serve in modern roles. To explore this continuity, we spoke with two individuals at different stages of their military careers: heavy automotive apprentice Private Matthew Clark, at the beginning of his journey, and Motor Trades Wing Warrant Officer of the Trade Training School Michael (Mike) Colbert, who brings 27 years of experience to his role.
“A modern army is heavily reliant on mobility,” says Mike. “Automotive technicians in the New Zealand Army are responsible for maintaining anything with wheels or an engine. We're a critical enabler to let commanders have what we call freedom of manoeuvre.”
Both Matthew and Mike, who are stationed at Trentham Military Camp, have had family serve before them, influencing their decision to join the New Zealand Defence Force.
“I finished school and I didn't really know what I wanted to do after that,” says Matthew. “But I've always had a passion for working on vehicles. My dad served before me and gave me the idea to join.”
Mike’s family history goes back to the first day of the Gallipoli landings: “I've got a long history of family service, including a great uncle who was shot through the shoulder at Gallipoli on Anzac Day 1915.
“55,000 New Zealand soldiers deployed to World War I from Trentham camp. Being based here and running a training school that's preparing apprentices to become tradespeople who are ready and able to deploy if necessary, that connection rings really strongly.”
Unlike the heavy vehicles most New Zealanders are used to seeing on the road, Matthew spends his days training to repair military vehicles such as Pinzgauers and MAN Trucks, alongside completing MITO’s New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering – Road Transport (Level 4), and Defence Force in-house training.
“With military vehicles, there's a lot of focus on precision, durability, and preventative maintenance,” Matthew says. “We have to make sure everything's in working order before the vehicles go out on task, into the field.”
Matthew credits the user experience of MITO’s online portal in helping his training go smoothly. “We can jump on our phones, take photos of our work, and upload them straight away. It’s quite helpful and lines up with the practical side well.”
Alongside hard work and training, a key set of values lead the way.
“Every job we undertake is underpinned by the Defence Force’s four values: courage, commitment, comradeship, and integrity, which we lead by in our workshop,” says Mike.
These values are a strong link between past and present—between modern soldiers and the Anzac spirit, a foundational ethos representing the characteristics New Zealand soldiers showed during World War I, particularly at Gallipoli in 1915, including qualities like mateship, courage, endurance, and ingenuity.
“It’s a day of remembering past and current serving members and the hardships they’ve gone through,” Matthew explains of the importance of Anzac Day. “It definitely influences me to put my best foot forward and try to do the best I can, whether that be at work or home, or even playing sports.”
As a keen rugby player, the spirit of Anzac Day and giving everything his all also carries over to the pitch.
For Mike, the most rewarding aspect of his role is watching apprentices succeed and grow under his supervision.
“Watching a young New Zealander turn up at the workshop having maybe never picked up a spanner before, and by the end of their time with us, they are able to diagnose and repair a truck, yeah, it means a lot. We're sending out about 20 of these trained professionals every year. It's quite a proud feeling.”
This Anzac Day, in recognising noncombat roles, we honour not only those who served in the past, but those who continue that legacy today. Their contribution reminds us that service is often unsung, and built not only in moments of conflict, but in the steady, essential work that supports them.
Lest we forget.
