Minister welcomes new students as the country’s ‘engine room"

Tech Park learners at their Orientation pōwhiri (L) and Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds meets our new students (R)

19/02/25

More than 270 new trades and engineering learners have been welcomed to MIT with pōwhiri at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, Ōtara.

The large crowd waited patiently outside te waharoa – the gateway to be called on, each with their own story about why they have chosen a future in the trades.

“I studied at Tech Park through Trades Academy (in school),” says Jope Nauarabota. “I got interested in carpentry. My grandfather’s a carpenter.”

“I’ve always had a passion for it, on the tools,” says Brian Karena. “I thought I’d get more knowledge from here before I start an apprenticeship.”

“It’s been going pretty good last few days since we started,” says Jack Manttan, who along with the others is studying towards NZ Certificate in Carpentry (Level 3) at Tech Park in Manukau.

“Learning new skills. Learning how to measure wood, about the grain and how to use it in our projects.”

The students were led on to the atea - forecourt by special guest, Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Hon. Penny Simmonds, who later addressed the intake, telling them they were not only joining MIT, but a new whānau in education.

“You are going to go through this journey of learning assisted by these wonderful staff,” the Minister said. “You are the engine room of the country. We are thrilled you have chosen to invest in vocational education. It fills me with absolute joy to see this (whare) full of young, and not so young, students eager to learn. I wish you well”

Minister Simmonds knows the skills training sector well. Prior to entering politics, she was Chief Executive of Southland Institute of Technology for 23 years.

Enrolments with on campus vocational education providers have increased across the country this year. At MIT, enrolments for full-time learning have risen by 10.3% compared with at the same time in 2024.

“Having the Minister here really expressed the importance of the choice they have made, not just in terms advancing their own lives, but the big picture of the driving jobs and growth in New Zealand’s economy,” Executive Director, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

“Vocational learning has a key role to play in connecting our communities to industries and essential sectors like the trades and construction, while responding to the skills needs of the region and making sure our ākonga thrive and succeed,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

Imtiaz Ali (Left) and Gurpreet Singh (Right) are two of our new International learners we have welcomed in Semester 1, 2025

Earlier in the week, MIT welcomed International learners including Gurpreet Singh from India and Imitaz Amin from Bangladesh.

“I did a lot of research before choosing where to study,” Mr Singh, who is pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering says.

“MIT was a natural choice for me. I learned that MIT is one of the best for engineering because of its strong focus on practical experience—so here I am.”.

“This programme gives me the time to learn, complete my studies, and make an informed choice about my career,” Mr Amin, who is embarking on a three-year Bachelor of Digital Technologies says.

MIT is seeing strong demand from international students as well.

As of 4 February 2025, international fulltime learning was up 37.5% compared to the same time last year.