The MAST Academy Graduation was a special evening with more than 60 graduates and 200 other attendees exclusively focussed on the value of training and qualifications in the Marine Industry. The event centred around the multiple success of the apprentices– including Paris Mitchell, our Co-Chair of the Marine NIAG, who walked away with both her certificates and the MAST Special Achievement Award 2024.

Our DCE Samantha McNaughton and the Hanga-Aro-Rau team also had the honour of presenting the Outstanding Marine Graduate 2024 award to Reid Wilson. Reid started in the industry through the highly successful MAST School-to-Work programme and cemented his hunger for learning by completing three qualifications, as well as a Rotary Leadership programme.

The Keynote Speaker was the incredibly inspirational William Pike, whose life took an unexpected pivot when he lost his leg following the Mt Ruapehu 2007 eruption. William spoke of the many (and often overwhelming) mental and physical challenges he had to overcome, and how his mindset and support network got him through.

Keeping true to his values and goals paid off in 2017, when he conquered Mt Scott in Antarctica!

William now runs a highly successful prosthetics manufacturing business, has published an autobiography (Every Day’s A Good Day) and delivers a truly inspirational youth development programme to help young people push their own boundaries and realise their true potential.

It was an inspirational night and Hanga-Aro-Rau was proud to be part of it!