Ventia and MPTT have had a longstanding partnership that is built on matching Māori and Pasifika trainees and tradies to employment opportunities where...

Christine Swepson has built a clear vision for her place in the world, and Ventia is helping her make it a reality. Christine, from the village of...

It just got a whole lot easier — and potentially cheaper — to get your driver’s licence. From this month, Waka Kotahi is scrapping retest fees for...

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2023 kicks off Monday, September 11, with the theme Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori – making the language stronger. It’s all about...

Oceania Careers Academy — OCA —  is on a mission to see more young Pacific people in sustained, higher-paid employment with skills sought...

Wāhine who get qualified in trades are not only building themselves a future; they’re also helping to bridge the pay gap for all women, Māori and...

Matty and Percy have set themselves up for bright futures by training as electricians. They say that the mix of theory and on-the-job learning is both...

David Parsons is of Ngāpuhi decent, his marae is Taheke, he whakapapa’s to the Pou whānau. At MPTT he is our Kaitohutohu Ahumahi. David has...

When your team has a sense of wellbeing at work, they're more likely to have higher motivation and effectiveness, and that affects your bottom line....

Advancing your career as an MPTT Alumni Getting qualified in the trades is a path to a secure and satisfying career, and it can also be a stepping...

Romeet Chand and Jason Pou are pursuing their passion with careers in different parts of the automotive industry. Jason has completed his Light Automotive...

All MPTT students have the support of an MPTT navigator, which not only sets our programme apart but also sets MPTT students apart when they start work....

Whakairohia he toki, tāraia te anamata Learning with purpose, creating our futures. At MPTT, we know that collaboration and leadership are vital to...

What do Puhinui Train Station, Auckland University, Costco in Westgate, and MIT all have in common? MPTT graduates have helped build them as part of the...

Sosaia Kaloni was drawn to construction to give his family better financial support. Now, at 24 years old, Sosaia has a great job with a leading company...

NZMA is unlocking new futures for Māori and Pasifika by doing things differently.  The team at NZMA has put tikanga Māori at the foundation of...

Shifting the Dial is a new paper that reveals the far-reaching benefits of improved learning and training pathways for Māori and Pasifika. Billions of...

Wāhine Māori and Pasifika are breaking down stereotypes and building futures. At NZMA, Dalice, Shalei, Mereana and Ngatamaine are women who are...

If there’s one thing your boss wants you to bring to work from day one, it’s a great attitude. Your 'A' game! But how do you get one? For many of our...

As a tradie, your tools are your most valuable possession – but they’re also a top target for thieves. Tool theft is on the rise in New Zealand, as a...

West Aucklander Brenna Bishop grew up helping her dad with building projects, but having never known a female builder, she wasn’t sure she could make it...

You can start learning about your trade in a classroom – but it’s hands-on experience that really builds your skills. Find out the best way to get...

Since long before he began his construction training, Salesi Vi dreamed of owning his own home. But for many years, this seemed out of reach for him and...

With more than five decades’ experience in construction, industry stalwart Ben Mckay still loves using his skills to help others. Find out how Ben’s...

It was exciting to see some of our latest intake of future tradies gather together this month, after MPTT’s group events had been delayed due to...

After more than a decade playing professional rugby league and union, Pakisonasi Afu decided it was time to return to New Zealand and take on a new...

Jharden Davis (Ngāti Hine) grew up in a small town in the Bay of Islands, where most people he knew got a job at the local meatworks. After leaving...

Tertiary institutions are now open, with in-person classes gradually resuming. But for some trades students, practical assessments on campus have been...

MPTT Auckland is now five years old, which means more and more of our tauira (trainees) are getting qualified and making their mark on the workforce. To...

Learning a trade takes hard work, and you’ll need to overcome obstacles to get there. That’s why it’s important to be able to bounce back when...

After studying marketing and working her way into hotel management in Samoa, a lucky encounter saw Flora Rivers take a leap across the Pacific and into the...

Finishing your apprenticeship means you can stop studying and start enjoying being a qualified tradie – including earning more money and having more job...

Keen to enjoy the money and mana that come with being qualified? With focus and dedication, MPTT alumni Shannon Ngawharau finished his construction...

Women in Trades Press Release, 10 July 2019 – We are very excited to announce the winner of 2019’s Mitre 10 Trade Keynote Award is Flora Rivers of...

They came to the trades from different backgrounds: high school, office work and ambulance driving. But these three tauira (trainees) have one thing in...

It’s easy to spend everything you earn. But if you want to have enough money for those big goals, like buying a house, you need financial skills to get...

So you've started learning a trade – but what happens next? At MPTT, we’re here to guide you right through your journey to becoming certified. Once...

After more than 47 years in the trades industry, Mark Katterns has some advice for new trainees. Get help from a mentor, show up to work on time – and...

In February, the government proposed big changes to trades training in New Zealand. Along with others in the trades industry, we went to workshops and...

At Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) Auckland, our trainees don’t just get jobs — we help them become qualified tradespeople. As...

Tuesday, 20 November 2018, 10:05 am Press Release: Maori and Pasifika Trades Training Together we’ve helped more than 2300 Māori and Pasifika...

By Alan Apted, Stuff/Manukau Courier In an age where the growing shortage of plumbers has industry leaders sounding the alarm, Hera Eruera burns as bright...

When you see someone succeeding in their career, it’s easy to assume their life has always been great. But 28-year-old engineering apprentice Sherya...

Want a pay rise or more flexible work hours? It could be as simple as asking your boss. But it’s not as easy as flicking them a text message – if you...

Want to do hands-on work outdoors and get paid well for it? As Sam Fihaki has found during his training, plumbing is one trade that fits the bill. Find out...

Tradespeople do a lot of great work, but it’s not every day they get national recognition for their skills. After delaying his building career for years...

Think you’re not strong enough to succeed in the trades, or worried about being the only woman in a team of guys? Elaine Pereira has been there. But as...

Ian Barnes, an MPTT trainee who graduated in 2016 and is now an apprentice with Dickson Gray Electrical has been awarded a $7,500 Ideal Electrical/Smiths...

10 May 2018 – NZMA hosted their first Women in Construction breakfast today, with a group of high achieving female construction talent inspiring NZMA...

Having mouths to feed is a powerful motivator to work hard and build a successful career. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we share the stories...

NZMA Press Release, 10 April 2018 – Today, the Minister for Building and Construction and Associate Education Minister, The Hon. Jenny Salesa, MP opened...

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE. Students from a few schools in Māngere now have bikes they can call their own. Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT)...

**Updated November 2019** Once you’re offered a job, there’s often one more challenge before you’re a permanent staff member – the trial period....

Sometimes the path to a trades career isn’t a straight line. After trying his hand at automotive, switching to welding and spending months looking for...

Think you can’t land a great job straight out of your studies? Find out how Jason Pou’s positive attitude, work experience and enthusiasm helped him...

The Māori Pasifika Trades Training programme has awarded 200 new scholarships to its first group of trainees for 2018. https://youtu.be/1hcD6oJAw58

What you do with your money makes a big difference to your future. Good money management skills can help you put a house deposit together, save you from...

It's a campaign aimed at breaking down the barriers to Māori and Pasifika youth getting a trade. An organisation that's helped more than 2000 young...

Do you dream of owning a house, running your own business, or making enough money to help out your whanau? Whatever your biggest dreams are, you probably...

Father-of-four Andrew Leota always knew his true passion was in the trades. The 34-year-old had dabbled in other jobs while he focused on his kids, who are...

A much-loved community garden that was destroyed by a rogue vehicle has been restored, thanks to a group of MPTT trainees. RāWiri Community House...

You know you need to get a job in the trades industry, but did you know there are different types of job contracts? The type of job you take on can be the...

By Kymberlee Fernandes, Manukau Courier More women are studying to get into the trades, with a career as an electrician being a popular choice at one...

A less conventional way to clock up work experience in the trades? Organise a project yourself. Ben Oge, a construction trainee at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa,...

Getting an apprenticeship – not just a job – is the key to a rewarding career in the trades. That’s the view of electrical trainee Ioane...

Interviews are one of the more nerve-wracking parts of getting a job. When you’re meeting an employer face to face, you might feel like you have to know...

NZMA Media Release - 2 October 2017 Approximately 20 NZMA Construction students were warmly welcomed onto the Marae at Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, with a...

Why hire a labourer when you can hire an apprentice? That’s the opinion of Auckland business owner Pat Coll, who’s trained about 180 electrical...

A team of volunteers recently travelled to Samoa to help build and improve homes, as part of a Habitat for Humanity project from August 26 to...

Your employer’s first impression of you isn’t usually face-to-face – they’ll read your job application first. So if your CV isn’t up to scratch,...

Our most recent intake of MPTT trainees from Unitec, MIT and NZMA were welcomed to the whānau at our ‘Whanaungatanga* Days’ in August and September....

Photo credit: Cameron Pratt Waru Pairama started his trades training by enrolling in a construction course. But having already worked in other industries,...

Want to dominate in your trade and earn respect from others? Staying away from drugs and alcohol while you’re on the job will help you build your skills,...

Jerome Ramsay started out as a labourer, before deciding to get more skills under his belt through a trades qualification. With help from MPTT Navigators,...

Fourteen of our trainees were selected to head to Fiji to build homes for families in need. Not only did they rack up practical experience, they saw...

A driver licence is crucial in the trades. Your boss might ask you to pick up supplies for a job, or you may need to travel between different work sites...

Sarah Peraua had never thought about becoming a builder – until she watched The Block on TV. Inspired to start a new career, Sarah is now using her...

Ngapo Wehi knew he didn’t want to be stuck in an office, so he decided to learn a trade. He’s now doing practical work he loves – and encouraging...

As a young woman, Kelsie McKenna faced doubts – from herself and others – when her passion for timber led her to train as a carpenter. But despite...

Pau Tato put his dream of being a builder on hold for 20 years to support his family. Now he’s well on his way to being qualified, and has recently...

Elizabeth Cruickshank had spent 12 years as a registered nurse, but she couldn’t shake her dream of being a carpenter. The 35-year-old took the bold step...

Easter Isara and Elizabeth Westerlund studied Furniture and Cabinet Making together, and clicked instantly. They’re now best friends and encourage...

Jason Lemalu had “grown up bills” to pay and couldn’t afford to have his income drop by going back to study construction. But thanks to some...

Chris Lautua had a stable, well-paid office job – but he wanted to do hands-on, physically active work. He retrained as a sparky and is now well on the...

Growing up in a small Pacific Island nation, Ineleo fell in love with carpentry while helping to build a new school. Now he’s building a future for his...

After 10 years as a labourer, Doug Graham decided to turn his practical experience into a qualification – and an exciting career. Doug Graham always...

A unique part of the MPTT programme is our navigators, who mentor students every step of the way and help ensure they’re ready for work. After a year of...

Carpentry student Kelsie McKenna talks about her journey.