September 2 2026
On Tuesday 1 September, the inaugural MITO Industry Summit and Awards was held at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre. Over 200 senior stakeholders from across industry, government, education, and MITO’s employer and learner communities attended.
Sturrock Saunders, MITO’s Chairperson, opened the event saying, “MITO’s Industry Summit is about bringing industry together with ambition and purpose—to exchange bold thinking, celebrate achievement, look ahead, and importantly, to uplift and acknowledge the vital work our industries do for New Zealand. Above all, we want to work together to continue shaping the future workforce our industries need to thrive.”
Hon. Shane Jones provided a keynote address for the Summit, focused on the importance of MITO’s industries for New Zealand’s economy and the value of industry training as a means of future-proofing New Zealand’s workforce.
The Summit offered a thought leadership experience across economics, future workforce trends, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and leadership and performance. The presenters included Brad Olsen from Infometrics, David Galbraith (business and leadership coach), Mike Casey from Rewiring Aotearoa, and Dr Michelle Dickinson (engineer and technologist).
Te Radar, in his role as MC for the Summit, hosted a panel of current and graduate MITO learners and facilitated a discussion about their training and career pathways. The learners involved were Ashleigh Smith (extractives learner representative), Harry Shaw (automotive learner representative and 2026 Janet Lane MNZM Scholarship recipient), Fletcher Brown (automotive learner representative and 2025 Youth MP), Zivana Smith (commercial road transport learner representative), and Michelle Findlater (2025 Janet Lane MNZM Scholarship recipient).
Lee Marshall, Trustee of the Inspiring Futures Foundation (IFF), announced the 2027 IFF Scholarship Programme, with the news that the IFF will fully fund the Scholarship Programme with a generous grant of $700,000.00 over the next two years. This grant represents a significant increase in spend on the IFF Scholarship Programme and will enable the expansion of the programme at a time when new funding and cost pressures are impacting the training decisions of employers and learners. The objective is to support employers and our future workforce through MITO.
Lee said: “The IFF is proud to be sponsoring a record number of MITO scholarships, especially at a time where the youth unemployment rate is the highest it has been for some decades and yet the shortage of skilled trades people is acute across the industries that MITO serves. Each scholarship removes or reduces a barrier to the next generation entering the workforce—and that’s exactly what the IFF exists to do.”
Emma Gilmour, MITO Ambassador and New Zealand rally driver, was present and spoke to her role in inspiring young people to consider industry careers and the importance of industry training: “I’ve seen throughout my own career what a difference it makes when someone believes in you and gives you an opportunity. Our industries need to keep doing that for the next generation—investing in their training, developing their skills, and showing them the fantastic careers available.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour opened the Industry Awards function, held in the late afternoon. These awards recognise outstanding individuals and organisations who are making a meaningful difference through industry training—from building skills and capability, to supporting learners, strengthening pathways, and shaping the future workforce.
Verna Niao, MITO’s Chief Executive, said, “This year’s winners showcase the outstanding talent within MITO’s industries—from highly successful leaders to those just beginning their careers. Their achievements are inspiring, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them.”
Sturrock Saunders said, “The 2026 MITO Industry Awards celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding learners, employers, businesses, and industry champions.
“These awards celebrate something bigger than individual success: they illustrate what becomes possible when industry invests in people, when employers back learners, and when workforce development is genuinely led by industry, for industry.”
MITO Industry Award winners
The MITO Training Business of the Year award, which recognises a workplace that demonstrates outstanding commitment to high‑quality, learner‑centred on‑job training across MITO’s industries, was given to The Tranzit Group.
The Tranzit Group has shown unwavering dedication to building a skilled, safe and future-ready workforce. As a long-standing New Zealand family-owned transport business, Tranzit has embedded training across its operations through structured onboarding, practical coaching, competency checks, safety training, leadership development, and nationally recognised qualifications.
Its strong partnership with MITO is central to this success, with team members completing qualifications across heavy automotive engineering, road transport, and electric vehicle technology. Tranzit also provides strong mentoring, dedicated learner support, and clear career pathways, helping apprentices and trainees gain confidence, progress their skills and advance into leadership roles across the business. The Tranzit Group registered its first learner with MITO in 1993 and 20 members of staff are currently completing MITO qualifications.
The MITO Inclusive Training Business of the Year award celebrates a workplace that demonstrates exceptional commitment to equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive training practices across MITO’s industries, and was awarded to AMI Motorhub.
AMI MotorHub makes inclusion part of everyday training, not a separate initiative. Through practical support such as plain-language training materials, literacy and numeracy assistance, supervisor communication training, wellbeing check-ins, and personalised mentoring, the business adapts to the needs of each learner and creates an environment where people can build confidence, capability, and belonging.
Its commitment is reflected in the pathways it has created for people who may not have had a clear entry into the automotive industry, including young people through the Mana in Mahi partnership, Māori learners, women in trades, neurodiverse students, migrants, and those with no previous automotive experience. With strong support from MITO, AMI MotorHub has helped learners into structured apprenticeships and meaningful career pathways, showing that inclusive training can deliver both personal growth and strong industry outcomes.
The MITO Supervisor of the Year award recognises an exceptional workplace supervisor who has demonstrated excellence in on‑job training, coaching, mentoring, assessment support, and learner development. This was awarded to Tavita Fa’amausili of Omexom Limited.
Tavita Fa’amausili has shown enduring dedication to training, mentoring, and supporting learners across Omexom’s gas workforce. With around 26 years’ industry experience, he brings deep technical knowledge and first-hand understanding of the learner journey, helping apprentices and trainees build confidence, meet qualification requirements, and achieve high industry standards.
Beyond his technical expertise, Tavita is a trusted mentor who genuinely cares about learner wellbeing. He provides regular support to staff working in isolated regional roles, champions mental health and wellbeing, and strengthens safety through practical Capstone assessments that ensure learners can apply their skills confidently on site. His combination of experience, care, leadership, and commitment to developing others makes him a highly deserving recipient of this award.
The MITO Secondary School of the Year award recognises a school that has demonstrated sustained commitment to promoting MITO career pathways, supporting learners into industry training, and partnering effectively with MITO to strengthen work‑based learning opportunities for students. The 2026 winner of this award is Ashburton College.
Ashburton College has shown a remarkable dedication to vocational education and industry training through well-resourced pathways in automotive, mechanical engineering, building, and trades. Its automotive students consistently achieve near 100% pass rates in MITO’s StartUp micro-credentials, supported by passionate teachers, regular MITO Training Advisor visits, digital tools, and close progress monitoring. The school also actively celebrates student achievement, helping raise the profile of vocational learning as a valued pathway.
Through its expanded Gateway programme, meaningful work placements, and strong local employer connections, students gain practical industry exposure, with many progressing into employment. Ashburton College’s inclusive, hands-on approach and responsive partnership with MITO demonstrate a clear focus on preparing students for successful futures in industry.
The MITO LTSC Training Company of the Year award recognises an LTSC member organisation that demonstrates sustained excellence in safety leadership in log transport operations; development of a skilled, capable workforce; active commitment to formal MITO qualifications and LTSC accreditation; and provides an environment where learning is valued, supported, and embedded in everyday operations. McCarthy Transport Ltd is the 2026 winner of this award.
McCarthy Transport Ltd has demonstrated sustained commitment to safety, professionalism, and workforce development in the high-risk log transport sector. Through its long-standing involvement with MITO qualifications and the LTSC Driver Pathway “Pathway to Success” accreditation programme, the company has shown clear leadership in lifting industry standards and supporting lifelong learning.
Training is embedded across the business, with compliance staff, transport managers, driver facilitators, and internal assessors working together to guide drivers through formal qualifications and practical assessments. By investing in its people, supporting different learning needs, and celebrating achievement, McCarthy Transport has created a strong learning culture that delivers measurable benefits for drivers, safety outcomes and operational performance.
The MITO Learner of the Year awards recognise outstanding apprentices from across MITO’s industries who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their training, strong technical competence, professionalism, and who are making a positive contribution to their workplace and the wider industry.
- Learner of the Year – Automotive: Reuben Halliday has won the Automotive Learner of the Year award for his remarkable commitment, technical skill, and professionalism throughout his apprenticeship with Terra Cat NZ. While completing his Level 3 and Level 4 MITO qualifications, he took on extraordinary opportunities, including maintaining critical heavy equipment in Antarctica for the United States Antarctic Program. Reuben has shown initiative, resilience, and strong problem-solving ability in demanding environments, while consistently upholding safety and industry standards. Respected for his positive attitude, teamwork, and willingness to support others, he is an exceptional ambassador for vocational training and the automotive industry.
- Learner of the Year – Collision Repair: Jet Te Aho has been awarded Collision Repair Learner of the Year for his exceptional dedication to learning, strong work ethic, and natural leadership. After completing his apprenticeship, Jet continued to build his skills through further training in Level 5 structural repair, while consistently applying his knowledge on the job. He learns from experienced technicians, takes pride in improving repair times, and has demonstrated his talent through personal projects, including restoring a car to a high standard. Respected for his attention to detail, humour, initiative, and commitment to safety, Jet is a motivated learner and a positive influence in the workshop.
- Learner of the Year – Commercial Road Transport: Daniel Ludlow has earned the Commercial Road Transport Learner of the Year award through his perseverance and dedication to professional development. Over two years, he successfully balanced the demands of his role at Booths Logistics with completing the Certificate in Commercial Road Transport, strengthening his technical knowledge, confidence, and understanding of safety, compliance, and industry standards. Reliable, hardworking, and approachable, Daniel leads by example and is respected by his peers for his strong work ethic and willingness to support others. As the first Booths Logistics employee to complete the qualification, he has helped inspire a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- Learner of the Year – Extractives: Jakob Stassen has won the Extractives Learner of the Year Award for his outstanding commitment to learning, leadership, and workplace excellence. As Operations Manager at Hatuma Lime Company Ltd, Jakob has embraced the challenge of developing new skills in a highly regulated extractives environment, often completing training in his own time. He is proactive, considered, and solutions-focused, confidently leading teams across two sites while prioritising safety, compliance, and productivity. His willingness to upskill, engage with WorkSafe, contribute to health and safety meetings, and support his team makes him an exceptional role model and a deserving recipient of this award.
- Learner of the Year – Drilling: Zane O’Gorman has won the Drilling Learner of the Year award for his exceptional professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to becoming a highly skilled driller. Progressing rapidly from Driller’s Assistant to independently running a rig, Zane has shown impressive technical abilities, initiative, and maturity. He consistently achieves excellent core recovery, produces bore logs described as the best seen from a trainee, and approaches every task with precision and pride. His safety-first mindset, reliability, and positive attitude make him a trusted member of the Griffiths Drilling team. Zane exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding learner and future industry leader.
- Learner of the Year – Gas: Kristian Larsen has won the Gas Learner of the Year Award for his exemplary commitment to learning, strong work ethic, and willingness to develop skills beyond the scope of his training. As a Gas Distribution Fitter at Omexom, Kristian has shown impressive growth by taking responsibility for crew leadership, day-to-day site operations, and the safety of his team and the public. He consistently contributes positively to the workplace, willingly supports urgent and unscheduled work, and is always prepared to help others. With his practical problem-solving ability, professionalism, and clear communication, Kristian is a deserving recipient with a bright future ahead.
The MITO Lifetime Achievement Award for Industry Training recognises an individual who has made an extraordinary, sustained, and positive contribution to vocational training within New Zealand’s automotive, transport, logistics, and related industries.
This was awarded to Dave Pardoe in recognition of more than five decades of outstanding service to New Zealand’s forestry, transport and vocational training sectors. Throughout his career, Dave has championed workforce development, safety, skills transfer and learner success, helping hundreds of people build meaningful careers. From training forestry workers in Samoa to developing nationally recognised transport qualifications in New Zealand, he has consistently connected industry needs with practical training solutions.
His leadership in programmes such as the Tairāwhiti Road Transport Programme and Drive35 has created vital employment pathways and addressed regional skill shortages. Dave’s enduring commitment to mentoring people, strengthening industry capability, and supporting communities makes him a truly deserving recipient of this award.
MITO’s strategic intent is to deliver a world-class workforce and inspire careers through innovation and industry-led workforce development. The MITO Chairperson’s Award recognises an individual who exemplifies this intent—demonstrating leadership, commitment, and influence that enables industry to shape its own future while inspiring others to pursue careers in the trades and wider industry.
Bob Boniface has been selected as the 2026 Chairperson’s Award recipient in recognition of his exceptional and sustained contribution to MITO’s industries over more than 60 years. His leadership spans business ownership, governance, national industry representation, and charitable service, including former roles on the MITO Inc Board, as President and Chair of the Motor Trade Association, and with the Collision Repair Association.
As owner of Auckland Panel and Paint Group, Bob has shown a strong commitment to workplace training, apprenticeships, and learner success. His support for future talent, including women in collision repair and the Inspiring Futures Foundation, demonstrates a lasting commitment to industry-led training, career pathways, and the long-term strength and resilience of the trades.
