Certified Skills
La malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā. A well-grounded self is a successful self.
It’s a sentiment that flows effortlessly through Midas Newtown and Te Aro, where Sanerivi (Rivi) Leiua is carving out more than just a career, but a place to grow, laugh, and thrive.
Growing up in Samoa, Rivi was on the tools from a young age. “On my dad's side, they’re all mechanics. I grew up around four-wheel drives. When I was a young guy, I used to just hang around with my uncles and fix this, fix that, play around with this, play around with that. That's very much how I got into cars.”
Moving to Wellington in late 2019 just before the world shut down due to COVID-19, Rivi completed Years 11–13 at Rongotai College. It was here that the opportunity for vocational training and work experience was presented through MITO’s secondary school automotive micro-credentials, StartUp® Ignition and Accelerate.
Rivi not only earned these micro-credentials while still at school, but also secured a foot in the door working for Thinus van Greuning, owner of two Midas workshops in Wellington’s inner suburbs.
“Work experience is a really good thing,” Thinus says. “We've employed a few out of work experience because you get to know them. You get to see what their ethics are like and all that sort of stuff.”
Five years later and Rivi is still proudly working at Midas and continuing his studies with MITO. Recently achieving the New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering (Level 4), Rivi is already looking ahead to what’s next—upskilling with electric vehicles and eyeing Authorised Vehicle Inspector (AVI) certification.
“It’s essential,” Thinus explains. “Once you're qualified in New Zealand and you carry an AVI cert, then you're a lot more employable. And it makes perfect sense if you're an AVI mechanic at the same time”.
And Rivi is setting his sights beyond just qualifications: “When I started the course, all I wanted was to get qualified. And now, I'm looking at maybe having my own workshop one day.”
“My job’s in jeopardy!” Thinus quips, before adding, “You’ve got the skill set for it.”
As they discuss the differences between working at and running a business, it’s clear that Rivi has found what every young apprentice hopes for: o le vāfealoa’i—a crew that’s got your back and pushes you forward.
Part of Rivi’s support crew is MITO Training Advisor Richard Hainsworth.
“That is my man,” Rivi says of Richard. “That is my man. He is the man.”
It’s an affectionate label Rivi uses to describe both Richard and Thinus, which sums up their working relationship: positive, empowering, and just the right amount of cheeky.
Rivi appreciates Richard’s guidance to complete his assessments, along with regular updates on his course progression. The flexibility around learning is a system that works well for Rivi, and part of why he chose to continue his studies with MITO.
“Rivi has been a pleasure to help and guide through his apprenticeship,” Richard says. “Right from the outset, Rivi worked well with me to constructively set targets, and he worked hard to complete these within the expected time frame.
“He maintained regular contact right through, which also helped him to achieve things at pace,” Richard continues. “Rivi is a real asset to the industry, and I am looking forward to supporting him through his next MITO qualifications.”
Thinus agrees: “He's got integrity, and he asks questions. He's got a natural ability, a natural aptitude towards mechanics. But he's also got a bit of common sense and a bit of wisdom there.”
As Rivi prepares to chart the next chapter of his automotive career, he’s in good hands at Midas Newtown and Te Aro. Carrying the spirit of fa’aāuāu le folauga i le va’a o tautai (to continue the voyage with competent wayfinders of the ocean,) Rivi is navigating forward with purpose and support.
