MPTT trainees doing the MPTT haka, which includes elements of both Māori and Pasifika haka. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.
Over 260 people descended on Te Puna earlier this week to recognise the efforts and progress of the 2019 group of Māori Pacific Trades Training (MPTT) trainees who will soon complete their trades scholarship programme.
The MPTT is a consortium of organisations featuring Unitec, MIT, NZMA, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, BCITO, SKILLS, MITO, Competenz and Service IQ, that partners with industry and combines trades training with mentoring and financial support. The programme offers practical support to trainees to build their careers, including free fees, a tools kete, life and work readiness skills and help finding work. A ‘Navigator’ is matched with each trainee, guiding them through their training and encouraging them to aim high and continually develop their skills.
Pio Terei, the host with the most, created a relaxed atmosphere for the event. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.
It was the first time that the MPTT Scholarship Graduation Celebration Evening has been held at Unitec, and it was a great success. Tu Nuualiitia, Student experience partner; Pava Saifoloi, Pacific Community Liaison; Rakesh Patel, Business Analyst; Paul Hays, Events and Communcations Business Partner; and Kirsten Petersen, Events and Communications Business Partner, supported the MPTT project office by staging and managing a fantastic event that received a lot of positive feedback.
Naomi Tito, MPTT Relationship Manager at MIT said, “It’s the best MPTT graduation event I’ve ever been to.”
Members of the Unitec organising team: Rakesh Patel, Pava Saifoloi, Derrick Solomon – Lecturer, Kirsten Petersen, Karetai Williams, Tu Nuualiitia, Danyon Morgan-Puterangi. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.
Hosted by TV personality, Pio Terei, the event brought together MPTT scholarship students and their whānau and guests from the MPTT partner organisations across Auckland and involved presentations of certificates followed by a spine-tingling haka and shared kai.
Tu Nuualiitia said he was very proud to have hosted the event at Unitec.
“It was a great opportunity to show how much we value and embrace MPTT and the kaupapa of whanaungatanga in celebrating the success of our Māori and Pacific learners.”
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Glenn Mckay speaks to the MPTT graduates and their families. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.
Presentations to MPTT graduates. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.
Presentations to MPTT graduates. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.
Presentations to MPTT graduates. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.
Panel discussion at the MPTT graduation celebration. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.
Proud family. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.
MPTT trainees. Photo: Evotia Tamua MPTT.