More than 200 people from industry, government, education and MITO’s employer and learner communities attended the inaugural MITO Industry Summit and Awards, held at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre on 1 September.
“MITO’s Industry Summit is about bringing industry together with ambition and purpose – to exchange bold thinking, celebrate achievement, look ahead, and importantly, to uplift and acknowledge the vital work our industries do for New Zealand,” MITO Chairperson Sturrock Saunders said as he opened the event.
“Above all, we want to work together to continue shaping the future workforce our industries need to thrive.”
In his keynote address, Regional Development and Resources Minister Shane Jones focused on the importance of MITO’s industries for the economy and the value of industry training to future-proof this country’s workforce.
There were also talks on economics, future workforce trends, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and leadership and performance. Presenters included economist Brad Olsen, performance coach David Galbraith, entrepreneur Mike Casey and science communicator and nanotechnologist Michelle Dickinson.
MC Te Radar hosted a discussion between current and graduate MITO students about their training and career pathways. They were Ashleigh Smith, extractives learner representative; Harry Shaw, automotive learner representative and 2026 Janet Lane MNZM Scholarship recipient; Fletcher Brown, automotive learner representative and 2025 Youth MP; Zivana Smith, commercial road transport learner representative; and Michelle Findlater, 2025 Janet Lane MNZM Scholarship recipient.
Inspiring Futures Foundation trustee Lee Marshall announced the foundation will fully fund the 2027 IFF Scholarship Programme with a grant of $700,000 over the next two years. MITO says it’s a 250 percent increase on the scholarship funding previously provided by the IFF, which will enable expansion when funding and cost pressures are impacting employers’ and learners’ training decisions.
Last year, 182 people received a scholarship, which helped pay for apprenticeships, training programmes and business management qualifications.
The IFF is proud to be sponsoring a record number of MITO scholarships, especially at a time when the youth unemployment rate is the highest it has been for some decades and yet the shortage of skilled trades people is acute across the industries that MITO serves, says Lee.
“Each scholarship removes or reduces a barrier to the next generation entering the workforce – and that’s exactly what the IFF exists to do.”
MITO Ambassador and New Zealand rally driver Emma Gilmour spoke about her role in inspiring young people to consider industry careers and the importance of industry training. “I’ve seen throughout my own career what a difference it makes when someone believes in you and gives you an opportunity.
“Our industries need to keep doing that for the next generation – investing in their training, developing their skills, and showing them the fantastic careers available.”
Awards showcase “outstanding talent”
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour opened the function for the Industry Awards, which recognise outstanding individuals and organisations making a meaningful difference through industry training.
“This year’s winners showcase the outstanding talent within MITO’s industries – from highly successful leaders to those just beginning their careers,” says MITO Chief Executive Verna Niao.
“Their achievements are inspiring, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them.”
“The 2026 MITO Industry Awards celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding learners, employers, businesses, and industry champions,” says Sturrock.
“These awards celebrate something bigger than individual success: they illustrate what becomes possible when industry invests in people, when employers back learners, and when workforce development is genuinely led by industry, for industry.”
The MITO Training Business of the Year award, which recognises a workplace that demonstrates outstanding commitment to high-quality, learner-centred, on-the-job training across MITO’s industries, was given to The Tranzit Group.
MITO says the Group, which registered its first learner in 1993, has shown “unwavering dedication” to building a skilled, safe and future-ready workforce and has embedded training across its operations. Team members have done qualifications in heavy automotive engineering, road transport, and electric vehicle technology.
“Tranzit also provides strong mentoring, dedicated learner support, and clear career pathways, helping apprentices and trainees gain confidence, progress their skills and advance into leadership roles across the business.”
The MITO Inclusive Training Business of the Year award, which celebrates a workplace that demonstrates exceptional commitment to equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive training practices across MITO’s industries, was awarded to AMI MotorHub.
MITO says AMI MotorHub provides plain language training materials, literacy and numeracy assistance, supervisor communication training, wellbeing check-ins, and personalised mentoring.
“With strong support from MITO, AMI MotorHub has helped learners into structured apprenticeships and meaningful career pathways, showing that inclusive training can deliver both personal growth and strong industry outcomes.”
The MITO Supervisor of the Year award, which recognises an exceptional workplace supervisor who has shown excellence in on-the-job training, coaching, mentoring, assessment support, and learner development, was awarded to Tavita Fa’amausili of Omexom Limited.
MITO says Tavita’s combination of experience, care, leadership, and commitment to developing others makes him a “highly deserving” recipient.
Ashburton College won the MITO Secondary School of the Year award. It recognises a school that’s shown sustained commitment to promoting MITO career pathways, supporting learners into industry training, and partnering effectively with the organisation to strengthen work-based learning opportunities for students.
McCarthy Transport won the MITO LTSC Training Company of the Year award, which recognises sustained excellence in safety leadership in log transport operations; development of a skilled, capable workforce; active commitment to formal MITO qualifications and LTSC accreditation; and providing an environment where learning is valued, supported, and embedded in everyday operations.
The MITO Learner of the Year awards recognise outstanding apprentices from MITO’s industries who’ve shown exceptional commitment to their training, strong technical competence, professionalism, and who are making a positive contribution to their workplace and the wider industry.
Reuben Halliday won the Automotive Learner of the Year award for his “remarkable commitment, technical skill, and professionalism” throughout his apprenticeship with Terra Cat NZ, including maintaining heavy equipment in Antarctica for the United States Antarctic Program.
Collision Repair Learner of the Year went to Jet Te Aho for his “exceptional dedication to learning, strong work ethic, and natural leadership”.
The Commercial Road Transport Learner of the Year was Daniel Ludlow, who was recognised for his perseverance and dedication to professional development. Over two years, he balanced the demands of his role at Booths Logistics with completing the Certificate in Commercial Road Transport.
Jakob Stassen won the Extractives Learner of the Year Award for his outstanding commitment to learning, leadership, and workplace excellence. As Operations Manager at Hatuma Lime Company, Jakob developed new skills in a highly regulated extractives environment, often completing training in his own time.
Learner of the Year – Drilling went to Zane O’Gorman for his exceptional professionalism, work ethic and commitment to becoming a highly skilled driller. “His safety-first mindset, reliability, and positive attitude make him a trusted member of the Griffiths Drilling team,” says MITO.
Omexom gas distribution fitter Kristian Larsen won the Gas Learner of the Year Award for his exemplary commitment to learning, strong work ethic, and willingness to develop skills beyond the scope of his training.
Dave Pardoe won the MITO Lifetime Achievement Award for Industry Training in recognition of more than five decades of service to this country’s forestry, transport and vocational training sectors. The award recognises a person who’s made an extraordinary, sustained, and positive contribution to vocational training within New Zealand’s automotive, transport, logistics, and related industries.
His career ranged from training forestry workers in Samoa to developing nationally recognised transport qualifications here. Dave’s leadership in the Tairāwhiti Road Transport Programme and Drive35 created employment pathways and addressed regional skill shortages.
Auckland Panel and Paint Group owner Bob Boniface was selected as the 2026 Chairperson’s Award recipient in recognition of his “exceptional and sustained contribution” to MITO’s industries over more than 60 years.
The award recognises a person who demonstrates leadership, commitment, and influence that enables industry to shape its own future while inspiring others to pursue careers in the trades and wider industry. Bob’s leadership spans business ownership, governance, national industry representation and charitable service, including former roles on the MITO Inc Board, as President and Chair of the Motor Trade Association, and with the Collision Repair Association.
“His support for future talent, including women in collision repair and the Inspiring Futures Foundation, demonstrates a lasting commitment to industry-led training, career pathways, and the long-term strength and resilience of the trades.”