March 4 2026
On Tuesday 3 March, MITO celebrated its return to industry ownership with a function at Parliament, attended by industry stakeholders, Members of Parliament, and MITO Board members and staff.
Stuart Smith, MP for the Kaikōura electorate and Chief Government Whip, hosted the event, while Hon. Penny Simmonds, Minister of Vocational Education, delivered a keynote address. This transition to industry ownership represents a significant milestone supporting the implementation of recent Government reforms to New Zealand’s vocational education and training system.
For over fifty years, MITO has supported apprentices, learners, and employers across the automotive, commercial road transport, mining, quarrying, drilling, gas, and logistics industries. These industries, representing 6% of New Zealand’s GDP, impact almost every New Zealander through the movement of resources, products, and people. They share a drive to progress Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy and, in line with this goal, are deeply committed to education and training that ensures the resilience of their industry sectors and enables career pathways for their people.
The strong partnership between industry, MITO, and government ensures high-quality training that is both valued and essential. MITO’s return to industry ownership strengthens this partnership and will enable training to continue to evolve in line with workforce needs.
Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says, “MITO supports apprentices and learners across some of New Zealand’s most critical industries: automotive, commercial road transport, mining, quarrying, drilling, gas, and logistics. Together, these sectors underpin our supply chains, our infrastructure, our primary sector, and the everyday functioning of our economy.
“This evening is about recognising a significant moment of change, acknowledging the work that made it possible, and looking ahead to what comes next for vocational education and training in New Zealand. At its heart, this moment reflects the Government’s focus on fixing the basics and building the future—removing what wasn’t working and putting in place settings that deliver long-term value for the motor industry.”
Stuart Smith MP says, “Strong industry partnerships driving fit-for-purpose training to better support employers are key for business success and economic growth. It’s great to see MITO once again delivering training in a ‘by industry, for industry’ model and I commend Minister Simmonds for building a vocational education system that puts industry at the heart of workforce development.”
Sturrock Saunders, Chairperson of the new MITO Board, said the event marked an important turning point for industry: “As part of the Government's Vocational Education and Training reforms, industry has stepped up to lead the way. Our industry associations were united in their view that industry must lead its own vocational education and training to ensure agility, responsiveness, and future-focused development—training by industry, for industry. I’m thrilled that we can now begin shaping the future of industry training directly in line with industry skills and training requirements.”
Verna Niao, MITO’s Chief Executive, says, “MITO remains fully focused on supporting the investment of our employers in growing new talent and meeting future workforce demand. Our coverage will remain nationwide, reaching regional and remote communities as well as New Zealand’s larger centres, and all our current qualifications and micro-credentials will remain available. We are looking forward to working closely with industry to support future workforce development goals.”
Photo caption: MITO's Board and Chief Executive with Minister Penny Simmonds and Stuart Smith MP. From left: Warwick Wilshier, Iain Haycock, Dean Eggers, Kim Milne, James McDowall, Verna Niao, Warren Flowerday, Hon. Penny Simmonds, Sturrock Saunders, Jason Land, Stuart Smith MP
