2025 MITO/Inspiring Futures Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced
MITO, in partnership with the Inspiring Futures Foundation, is pleased to announce that 133 individuals received a 2025 scholarship.
Each year, with the support of the Inspiring Futures Foundation, MITO identifies and empowers motivated learners—whether they are aspiring, current, or recent graduates—to advance their education and training. This important collaboration helps strengthen the pipeline of talent and futureproof our industries.
"We were truly impressed by the talent and enthusiasm shown by the applicants for our 2025 scholarships,” says Verna Niao, Executive Director of MITO. “We can't wait to see these driven individuals take the next step in their careers.
"Their success is a reflection of their dedication to their employers and a passion to master the skills required as they build their careers through industry training. This commitment highlights our continued focus on supporting the development of future experts and leaders in our industries."
Sturrock Saunders, Convenor and Chair of the Inspiring Futures Foundation board, adds, “The Inspiring Futures Foundation Trustees are proud to partner with the annual MITO / Inspiring Futures Foundation scholarship programme, helping to create pathways for learner success across MITO’s industries.
“Congratulations to all the recipients on this well-deserved achievement. We wish you every success in your chosen programmes and look forward to seeing all you build your skills and experiences.”
The 2025 scholarship recipients are as follows.
The Janet Lane MNZM scholarship is awarded to:
Michelle Findlater, Southern Automobiles. Read about Michelle's journey to Harvard here.
The Clyde Cunningham QSM Memorial scholarship (Hawke’s Bay region) is awarded to:
Liam Wilson, Waipukurau Motors 2006 Limited
Tristan Marsh, Hastings Honda
The Duncan “Sandy” Fraser Memorial scholarship (Wellington region) is awarded to:
Brendon Mikoz, AB Equipment Limited
John Little, Goodman Contractors
The MITO Business Skills scholarship is awarded to:
Aimee Rendall, Ebbett Rotorua
Amanda King, CanAm North Canterbury Ltd
Andre Morris-Eyton, Terra Cat - Hamilton
Angela Bell, Stihl Shop Greytown
Ashveen Kumar, Penske New Zealand
Bailey McPhee, Lockheed Martin New Zealand
Belinda Goldie, Royans Christchurch
Benjamin Baker, Avon City Ford
Benjamin Morrison, Topline Panel & Paint
Braden McBride, C3 Limited
Cameron King, Peter Glidden Honda
Cameron Riddington, C3 Limited
Christa Sneddon, AB Equipment Limited
Corey Townshend, Suvic Engineering Ltd
Cristy Grant, Transpecs
Darrel Muller, Energy Motors Hyundai & Isuzu
Daryl Woodham, Drummond & Etheridge Ltd - Blenheim
Dyani Carruthers, Trundles Automotive Ltd
Ella Pyke, Williamson Kumara Ltd
Emma Sainsbury-Brown, Orion Truck Equipment Limited
Hamish Kingston, Motoland
Harinder Kaur, Waste Management NZ Limited - Auckland
Jakeb Coxhead, Auto Super Shoppe Morrinsville
Jakob O'Neil, Lockheed Martin NZ
James Westerman, Terra Cat - Christchurch
Janine Rossiter, Stihl Shop Greytown
Jean Chua, Tranzit Group Ltd - Auckland
John Rawlinson, John Edwards Motors Limited
Jorja Fleet, AB Equipment Limited
Josh Logan, Lockheed Martin New Zealand
Joshua Alexander, Ruahine Motors Limited
Joshua Benson, J Young Motors Limited
Joshua Fromont, Herbert Service Station & Garage
Juan-Pierre Moller, Bayswater Vehicles Limited
Julio De Sousa, Autohaus Auckland
Linn McCartney, H. W. Richardson Driver Training
Louise Beale, R&L Beale Log Transport Ltd
Lucija Lovric, AB Equipment Limited
Mark Van Groenedaal, Blackwell Motors Limited
Matthew Steed, Power Farming Northland
Melanie Jamieson, Keith Andrews Trucks Ltd - Hamilton
Mitchell Winskill, Autothority Ltd
Natalie Cairns-Sanders, Trundles Automotive Ltd
Nirvana Logan, Auto Super Shoppe Birkenhead
Patrick Wood, Garage 44 ltd
Paul Daly, TDX - Christchurch
Paulette Feldmann, Auto Super Shoppe Birkenhead
Phillip Shanduka, Bayswater Vehicles Napier
Rohit Singh, VINZ - Mt Wellington
Roy Harris, Self Loader Logging Ltd
Shawn Stewart, Macaulay Motors
Shimon Raj, Penske New Zealand
Stanislav Yermolenko, Winger Hamilton
Tanzeel Hussain, Penrose Motors Limited
Trevor Putzier, AB Equipment Limited
Van Scott, Frontier Motor Homes
William Knight, Auto Super Shoppe Birkenhead
William Stevenson, Regional Ford Limited
The MITO Business Skills – Māori scholarship is awarded to:
Jessica Pakai, Lockheed Martin New Zealand
Julian Webster, Auto Super Shoppe Enterprise
Liam Wills, C3 Limited
Michael Hooper, Sparks Auto Electric (2015) Ltd
The MITO Alumni Advanced Technical scholarship is awarded to:
Angus Clotworthy, Cal Isuzu - Whangarei
Christopher Macilquham, Graeme Mac Panelbeating Ltd
Cosmo Boffa-Goode, Truck Stops (NZ) Ltd - (Volvo) Mt Maunganui
Dana Austin, Fonterra - Darfield
Daniel Hunsche, King Toyota Lower Hutt
Dylan Pringle, R. S. Lane Panel & Paint 2016 Limited
Jarome Weir, Autocity Panel & Paint
Joshua Millard, On Site Mechanical Repairs Ltd
Kenneth Basilio, Owen Shaw Panel Beaters
Nicholas Briggs, John Newton Panel & Paint
Qiang Li , North Shore Toyota
Shane Miller, Flintoff Panelbeaters
The MITO Alumni Advanced Technical – Māori scholarship is awarded to:
Alex McKain Langrope, Tractor Repairs & Spares Ltd (Blenheim)
The MITO New Start Advanced Technical scholarship is awarded to:
Abraham Espach, AB Equipment Limited
Jaxon Kuvarji, Winger Pukekohe
The MITO Alumni Electric Vehicle scholarship is awarded to:
Alexander Parker, Geartech Ltd
Ben Maxted, SBL Group Ltd
Connor Shaw, Truck Tech Solutions Ltd
Dave Wilkinson, All Auto Electrical Limited
Gareth Price, Tranzit Group Ltd
Grant Goodwin, Giltrap Motors Ltd
Harry Shaw, Truck Tech Solutions Ltd
James Mackle, Firestone Tawa Auto Repairs Ltd
Jonathan De Wet, Giltrap Audi
Joshua Taylor, Team Hutchinson Ford
Michael Waugh, Tranzit Group Ltd
Myles Davis, Lockheed Martin New Zealand
Nathan Jones, Tranzit Group Ltd
Samuel Adams, Lockheed Martin New Zealand
Todd Kennett, Avon City Ford - Rangiora
The MITO Alumni Electric Vehicle – Māori scholarship is awarded to:
James Milne, Auto Super Shoppe Kumeu
Nikahere Pirika, Mag & Turbo Rotorua
Raki Solomon, Sawyers Arms Automotive Ltd
The MITO Alumni Electric Vehicle – Pacific Peoples scholarship is awarded to:
Kamosi Finau, SL Motors NZ Limited
Millitina Mafile’o, NZ Bus - Metrolink - Onehunga Depot
The MITO Alumni Electric Vehicle – Women scholarship is awarded to:
Alisha Hedley, Ebbett Toyota - Waikato
Danielle Couchman, Big Daves Mechanical Services Limited
Mackenzie Findlater, Euromarque
The MITO New Start Electric Vehicle scholarship is awarded to:
Bastian Rodrigo, Nicholson Nissan
Isuru Pinto, Landex 2008 Limited
Ruchintha Thenuwara, Armstrong's Greenlane
The MITO KickStart scholarship is awarded to:
Adam Maghoussi, SG Equipment Ltd
Andrew Dent, P & B Mechanical Ltd
Ashton Valster, The Workshop
Brendan Bamford-Short, Wanganui Auto Electrical 2024
Bryn Marshall, Commerce Street Autos 2004 Ltd
Charlie Foote, P & B Mechanical Ltd
Craig Gatman, Longridge Horse Coaches
Jake Hodder, Frontier Motor Homes
Koen Eisenhut, Piako Mitsubishi
Natthawut Khomsamrong, Autostop Automotive
Sam Edmondston, North Otago Mazda, Hyundai & Isuzu
Shameem Faamatuainu, Pit Stop Manukau
Timothy van den Kerkhof, Stihl Shop Greytown
The MITO KickStart – Māori scholarship is awarded to:
Nick Evison, Mills Collision Repair Centre Limited
The MITO KickStart – Pacific Peoples scholarship is awarded to:
Mere Apaipo, Johnson's Panel & Paint
Velli Faifo, Midas Onehunga
The MITO KickStart – Women scholarship is awarded to:
Chloe Hawthorne, Fonterra - Kauri
Jhett Davies, SG Equipment Ltd
Joanne Girvan, Foxton Auto Works Limited
Juaniqua Bosman, All About Diesel
Mackenzie Jackson, Auto Super Shoppe Te Awamutu
Mikayla Pearson, Fill Maintenance Ltd
Sahar Pearce, Power Farming Canterbury
Scarlett Cooper, HEB Construction - Mt Maunganui
