More than 240 MPTT ākonga came together at MIT’s Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae in Ōtara for this year’s Whanaungatanga Day, with around 275 people attending overall including supporters, training partners, industry representatives and staff. The day brought together trainees from across six training providers in a setting grounded in connection, culture and the future of our trades workforce.
Whanaungatanga Day is an important part of the MPTT journey. It gives ākonga the chance to meet others from across the wider programme, spend time together in a culturally grounded environment, and connect with the people and organisations who will walk alongside them through training and into mahi.
Hosted at MIT, the day began with a pōwhiri and unfolded through kapa haka, shared kai, trade breakout sessions and a final haka performance. It was a reminder that success in the trades is not just about what happens in the classroom or workshop. It’s also about belonging, confidence, relationships and being able to see yourself in the path ahead.
MPTT Chair Fiugalu Tevita Funaki spoke about the importance of bringing ākonga together from across partner institutions, confirming that support is there for them and helping them see the industry partners who are part of the journey from training into apprenticeships and employment.
More than a welcome
For many ākonga, Whanaungatanga Day is one of the first times they see the wider MPTT whānau around them. They meet trainees from other campuses and providers, take part in tikanga and shared cultural experiences, and begin to understand that they are part of something bigger than their own course.
That cultural grounding was especially visible in the haka. After practising together earlier in the day, ākonga later performed it in front of the marae, with the Wharenui as a striking backdrop. The performance brought real energy to the event and expressed the pride, unity and collective strength that sit at the heart of MPTT.
Connecting with industry
A big part of the day was giving ākonga direct exposure to the industries they are preparing to enter.
This year, breakout sessions brought in representatives from MITO, Scania, BCITO, Builders Academy, Connexis, Skills Institute, Vaka Tautua, Careerforce, Mapu Maia and Competenz, alongside guest speakers, employers and MPTT support staff.
Across the day, trainees had the chance to ask questions, hear firsthand experiences and get a clearer sense of what employers are looking for. The event included breakout sessions spanning automotive, construction and infrastructure, electrical, plumbing/gasfitting/drainlaying, health and wellbeing, and mechanical engineering/refrigeration and air conditioning.
Real stories, real pathways
In the automotive session, recent MPTT graduate and current MITO apprentice Mercy Mataia shared a story that many trainees could relate to. Her pathway into the trades wasn’t direct. She didn’t leave school and go straight into the workshop, she started later, around age 21, after working in contact centre and office-based roles.
With MPTT support, she began Level 3 Automotive at MIT, but like many others navigating today’s cost-of-living pressures, she had to pause her studies to keep earning.
What came next is exactly the kind of story ākonga need to hear. Mercy got her foot in the door through an office role at Ellerslie Automotive. She started on the front line, taking calls and making bookings, then gradually moved into parts, quoting jobs and learning how the workshop operated. Over time, she built trust, gained knowledge and showed initiative. That opened the door to an apprenticeship, and she is now in her second year.
That story matters because it reflects the reality for many young people entering the trades today. The path is not always straight. Sometimes getting in means starting adjacent to the work, proving yourself, staying open and being ready when the opportunity comes.
Mercy was enthusiastic, “Getting paid to actually learn is one of the best things about an apprenticeship. My favourite part is learning something new, because cars are always evolving.”
Also speaking in the automotive session was Ana Pedro from Scania, who gave a clear employer perspective on what matters once you get your foot in the door. Her message was practical: employers are looking for people who communicate well, take responsibility, keep learning and stay committed long enough to complete their training. She also spoke about progression and the opportunities available in the heavy automotive industry.
“I don’t expect you to have it all right at the beginning,” she said. “But the biggest thing is, it’s in your basket to try and make it happen. If you’re going to start it, try and complete it.”
Together, Mercy and Ana gave ākonga both sides of the story: what it can take to get in, and what it takes to keep moving forward.
A stronger start to the journey
What makes Whanaungatanga Day so valuable is that it helps ākonga start seeing themselves not just as students, but as future apprentices, employees, business owners and leaders.
These connections matter. They help trainees understand the industries ahead of them, build confidence, ask questions, and see more clearly where their training could lead. In a time when employment can feel uncertain, that visibility matters.
Ngā mihi to MIT, Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, our industry partners, employers, training providers, Navigators, tutors and speakers who helped make the day what it was. Most of all, ngā mihi to our ākonga. Whanaungatanga Day was just the beginning. The future of the trades needs your talent, your commitment and your leadership.