Advocacy delivers ‘huge win’
The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is celebrating the announcement that MITO is to become industry-owned from the start of 2026 as a “huge win” after two years of campaigning.
Members of the association had strongly endorsed the move after the government announced plans to break up Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.
The MTA notes members have been saying for years that a shortage of skilled tradespeople is handbraking automotive businesses and the centralised system for work-based learning was failing to produce the right number of graduates with the skills industry needs.
Now, after nearly two years of MTA advocacy, consensus building and industry leadership, automotive sector training body MITO will emerge from Te Pūkenga and become industry-owned from January 1, 2026.
James McDowall, MTA’s head of advocacy, assembled a taskforce of industry stakeholders earlier this year to present government with a united case for training to be returned to the sector.
This was done to convince the coalition of the need for the changes and to ensure the many MITO stakeholders were united, consistent and spoke with a single clear voice.
“Throughout the process, ‘Led by industry, for industry’ has been our guiding principle,” adds McDowall, pictured.
“It has taken a lot of work to get to this point but this is a huge win for industry.
“We’re equally thrilled that the transport sector will have its own dedicated standard setter, or industry skills board.”
It was announced on December 11 that the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) had approved the transition of the training organisation to MITO Limited.
Under the new structure as a charitable company, MTA shares ownership of the organisation with over 10 other industry associations.
“As a charitable company, no dollar can ever leave the organisation. That means all funds will be reinvested in serving the industry that MITO serves,” explains McDowall.
“The altruistic approach that we decided upon from the outset has been crucial to keeping everyone aligned and supportive.”
Sturrock Saunders, MTA’s president and the newly appointed MITO Limited board chairman, says: “Our work programme for this transition was extremely ambitious and every objective has been achieved.
“Industry has successfully established a new charitable company. Our application to become a private training establishment has been approved by TEC and NZQA in record time.”
