2023 MITO/Inspiring Futures Foundation scholarship recipients announced

MITO, in partnership with Inspiring Futures Foundation, is pleased to announce that 74 individuals received a 2023 scholarship, including 62 recipients from the automotive industry.

MITO’s annual scholarship programme supports aspiring and graduate learners to further their education and training. This year also saw the introduction of the newly offered Janet Lane MNZM scholarship created to appreciate the 22-year tenure of former MITO Chief Executive, Janet Lane. The significant partnership with Inspiring Futures Foundation supports the talent pipeline by investing in workforce skill development.

“It was heartening to see so many talented applicants for our 2023 scholarships. Each year we see more diversity in our applicants and we are excited to support them to build their careers in industry,” says MITO Executive Director Verna Niao.

“People are the future of industry. Like MITOTe Pukenga, the Inspiring Futures Foundation believes in giving everyone an opportunity to grow and shine. We want all New Zealanders to have the opportunity to follow their dreams and build their careers,” says Inspiring Futures Foundation Chair Sturrock Saunders.

“For that reason, we are very proud to invest in the future of the country with these scholarships, which go to a range of worthy recipients across Aotearoa. The Inspiring Futures Foundation looks forward to seeing the significant contributions that these recipients will make in coming years.

We congratulate all the recipients on their scholarships and would like to acknowledge Matthew Clark, the inaugural recipient of the Janet Lane MNZM Scholarship – a very worthy recipient.”

The 2023 scholarship recipients are as follows: The MITO Business Skills Scholarship is awarded to:

Abigail Pretorius - Murphy Panel & Paint Ltd, Auckland

Aline Vaz - C3 Limited, Tauranga

Alistair Trounson - Go Bus Transport, Dunedin

Barry Rhodes - Norwood, Morrinsville

Bryan Anglesey - Self Loader Logging Ltd, Taupo

Daniel Fu - Botany Toyota, Auckland

Dharminder Dhanjal - Andrew Fink Marine Ltd, Hamilton

Edward Biggs - HireKing, Christchurch

Gaganpreet Wadhwa - Go Bus Transport, Dunedin

Grant Schooley - Self Loader Logging Ltd, Taupo

Guo Cao - Manukau Toyota, Auckland

Jaden Roeske - Nigel Bryant Ltd, Nelson

Jamie Bowmar - Self Loader Logging Ltd, Taupo

Kelvin Bennett - CLAAS Harvest Centre Waikato, Hamilton

Kris Montgomery - Stihl Shop, Rolleston

Maximiliano Sarquisian - Max Pennington’s AutoCity, New Plymouth

Megan Turner - Waste Management NZ Ltd, Whakatane

Michael Dalton - Dodson Motorsport Ltd, Auckland

Mohammed Tanzeem - Manukau Toyota, Auckland

Rhothia Smit - North Harbour Ford, Auckland

Richard Gander - C3 Limited, Tauranga

Scott Hall - Drivetech Ltd, Invercargill

Skyler Heathcote - Red Bikes Waikato Ltd, Te Awamutu

Songhang Li - Manukau Toyota, Auckland

Stephen Botha - Archibald & Shorter Roverland Ltd, Auckland

Tammy Heeps - Torbay Service Station, Auckland

Taylor Franks - Rutherford & Bond Toyota, Kapiti

Thomas Fairweather - Manukau Toyota, Auckland

Wayne Parker - Self Loader Logging Ltd, Taupo

Zach Coote - Nigel Bryant Ltd, Nelson

The MITO Business Skills – Māori Scholarship is awarded to:

Donna Thompson - Lockheed Martin New Zealand, Palmerston North

Gene Kapea - Mondiale VGL, Tauranga

Harry Ririnui - C3 Limited, Tauranga

Jason Harrison - C3 Limited, Tauranga

Kiterangi Lewis - Lockheed Martin New Zealand, Palmerston North

Tui Reeves - Lockheed Martin New Zealand, Palmerston North

Whakarerenga Williams - AB Equipment Ltd, Auckland

The MITO Business Skills – Pacific People Scholarship is awarded to:

Ashnil Prakash - Go Bus Transport, Christchurch

Keenan Billing - Grant White Autobody Ltd, Hastings

Lucas Lilo - Real Journeys, Te Anau

The MITO Alumni Scholarship is awarded to:

Alexander Ross - AA Vehicle Testing, Christchurch

Benjamin Loopstra - Safe R Brakes Ltd, Christchurch

Cody Perrin - Barry Armstrong Motors, Waihi

Cole Jones - Truck Stops (NZ) Ltd, Wellington

Corey Daubney - SBL Group Ltd, Nelson

Jackson Simmons - Tractor Repairs & Spares Ltd, Blenheim

John Nyemetz - Lyndale Motor Services, Auckland

Keegan Downey - Tractor Repairs & Spares Ltd, Blenheim

Kieran Burton - Tractor Repairs & Spares Ltd, Blenheim

Kieran Darrell - Heavy Diesel Parts & Services Ltd, Christchurch

Layla Hunter - Komatsu, Christchurch

Liam Kydd - Tractor Repairs & Spares Ltd, Blenheim

Mark Duncan - Tractor Repairs & Spares Ltd, Blenheim

Matthew Brooker - Mexted Motors Mitsubishi, Wellington

Matthew Mallett - Brian Tunnicliffe Nissan, Morrinsville

Natarsha Smith - Hyster, Tauranga

Petrus De Noon - Ritchies Transport, Auckland

Robert Lammie - Southern Mechanical Services, Invercargill

Sam Webb - Takapuna Panelbeaters, Auckland

Shane Price - SBL Group Ltd, Nelson

Stanislav Yermolenko - Brian Tunnicliffe Nissan, Morrinsville

The MITO Alumni – Māori scholarship is awarded to:

Alex Langrope - Tractor Repairs & Spares Ltd, Blenheim

Benjamin Handley - Miles Toyota Airport, Christchurch

Damien Stratful - Joe’s Panel and Paint Ltd, Auckland

Hamish McLean - Kumeu Huapai Panelbeaters, Kumeu

Shanel Chapman - N R G Auto Service Centre Ltd, Invercargill

The MITO Kickstart Scholarship is awarded to:

Ayden Gerrard - Scania, Invercargill

Gevany Rinos - Phil's Motorcycle Centre, Matamata

Kelly Davey - Jilesen Group Ltd, Taumarunui

Nichollas Bush - Henson & Murray Engine Rebuilders, Rotokawa

The MITO Kickstart - Māori Scholarship is awarded to: Richard Griffen - The Tractor Centre Ltd, Auckland

The Clyde Cunningham QSM Memorial Scholarship (Hawke’s Bay region) is awarded to:

Timothy Gordon - Mills Honda, Waipukurau

The Duncan “Sandy” Fraser Memorial Scholarship (Wellington region) is awarded to:

Dale Vickers - AB Equipment Ltd, Wellington

And lastly, congratulations to Matthew Clark –SSA New Zealand, Tauranga, for being awarded the inaugural Janet Lane MNZM scholarship 2023.

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WORDS: KYLE CASSIDY PHOTOS: TOM GASNIER