News

Caroline Jenkins - Fitness professional

12 March 2025

Caroline Jenkins has dedicated over 20 years to inspiring movement, mentoring instructors, and redefining fitness potential. As a certified Aqua Fitness professional and creator of Aqua Zone Fitness, she is passionate about helping people feel strong and empowered in the water. Beyond leading high-energy classes, Caroline mentors instructors, boosting their confidence and skills. As a national and international presenter, she has shared her expertise at fitness conferences and training events, unlocking each instructor’s unique superpower through innovative techniques.

Allan Wainwright Wānaka Area Recreation Manager, Queenstown Lakes District Council

4 March 2025

Allan is a passionate advocate for the Sport, Exercise, Leisure Operations (SELO) qualification, recognising its value in building skilled, confident professionals in the industry. With first-hand experience of its impact, he champions SELO as a game-changer for those working in recreation and community spaces.

All expenses paid Sports Coaching L3 scholarship returns!

23 January 2025

Te Mahi Ako is thrilled to announce the return of the Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Sports Coaching all expenses paid scholarships!

Navigating challenges and shaping our future

13 December 2024

As we approach the end of the year, we want to share an update on the changes Te Mahi Ako has undertaken during what has been an incredibly difficult time for Aotearoa, the vocational education and training (VET) sector, and our organisation.

Apprentice of the Year competition: John Mainu’u

11 November 2024

Meet John Mainu’u, one of our finalists for Apprentice of the Year. John is a huge advocate for health and wellbeing in his community, and he’s dedicated to helping people on their fitness journey.

Apprentice of the Year competition: Gabriela Flessak

6 November 2024

Meet Gabriela Flessak, one of our finalists for Apprentice of the Year. Gabriela’s deeply passionate about the sport and recreation industry, which she finds “both rewarding and inspiring.”

Katifit Gym: ‘It’s just a vibe’

5 November 2024

Say one thing about Katifit Gym: say it’s a vibe. Jenna McCready has been the owner-operator of Katifit since July 2019, and while there’ve certainly been some challenging times – chief among them COVID – her passion for the community and the exercise industry haven’t diminished whatsoever.

Sarah Reaburn's active recreation mission

25 October 2024

Sarah Reaburn is a champion for youth-focused active recreation in Auckland Council’s recreation department. Her active recreation career began straight out of high school, when she began volunteering for Scouts Aotearoa, and led to her gaining qualifications in youth work. Now she’s developing recreation programmes for West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre, building up relationships with the community and encouraging more people to use the space.

Meet Noelani: Liftie and ambassador at Mt Hutt Ski Field

7 October 2024

In the span of six short years, Noelani Ritchie has gone from amateur skier to lift operator at Mt Hutt ski field – and throughout her journey, she’s showing people that being Deaf won’t and shouldn’t stop her from doing what she loves.

Meet our team: Jonathan Alpers

25 September 2024

In this series, we are introducing you to some of the awesome people who work for the Skills Active Aotearoa Group, either at Te Mahi Ako or at Skills Active.

A year of partnerships, plans, and progress

25 September 2024

In their recently released 2023 annual reports, Skills Active Aotearoa and its subsidiary Te Mahi Ako each reflect on partnerships, plans, and progress.

Te Mahi Ako apprentices at Vidcom produce podcast for ākonga and staff

12 September 2024

A recent Te Mahi Ako graduate who completed his apprenticeship at Vidcom has teamed up with a new apprentice to develop and produce a podcast series that will help future apprentices learn about the company and foster skill development.

Te Mahi Ako and Skills Active respond to the Government’s proposed VET reforms

4 September 2024

Te Mahi Ako is closely examining the proposals, which offer a chance to return to true industry-led standard-setting.

Te Mahi Ako launches two scholarship and grant initiatives

19 August 2024

Te Mahi Ako is proud to announce the launch of two targeted initiatives to support workforce development in Aotearoa: Building Foundations scholarships and Business Development Grants.

Meet our team: Callum Knight

7 August 2024

In this series, we are introducing you to some of the awesome people who work for the Skills Active Aotearoa Group, either at Te Mahi Ako or at Skills Active.

Meet our team: Helenah Broughton

7 August 2024

In this series, we are introducing you to some of the awesome people who work for the Skills Active Aotearoa Group, either at Te Mahi Ako or at Skills Active.

Te Mahi Ako and RockQuest Promotions partnership

2 April 2024

Te Mahi Ako and Rockquest Promotions (RQP - www.rqp.co.nz) have joined forces to enrich the educational journey of Te Mahi Ako’s ākonga.

All-expenses paid scholarship to volunteer coaches aged 16-21

20 March 2024

We are happy to announce an exciting opportunity for volunteer coaches aged 16-21 across the motu!

Te Mahi Ako and SCTNZ join forces to address New Zealand’s swim teacher shortage

1 March 2024

Te Mahi Ako, in collaboration with Swim Coaches and Teachers of New Zealand Inc. (SCTNZ), is excited to announce a pivotal initiative aimed at addressing the critical shortage of swim teachers across the country. Through this partnership, Te Mahi Ako and SCTNZ are striving to bolster the aquatic education industry by offering discounted access to the New Zealand certificate in aquatics, swim and water safety teacher, level 3 qualification.

Meet Braden: Aquatics superstar!

27 February 2024

Meet Braden Longstaff, facility manager for Hutt City Council Pools. Braden has just completed his Te Mahi Ako assessor registration and will now be able to train and assess all their new pool lifeguard recruits for the Pool Lifeguard Practicing Certificate (PLPC).

Meet Micayla: Te Mahi Ako's rockstar apprentice

27 February 2024

Meet Micayla Waters, recent graduate of the NZ Apprenticeship Senior Pool Lifeguard Level 4 qualification from Te Rauparaha Arena Pools Wellington.

Emma Maidment's SELO Level 3 journey

27 February 2024

Meet Emma Maidment, Te Mahi Ako full-time employee and recent graduate of the NZ Certificate in SELO Level 3.

Todd Maddock's journey with the New Zealand Certificate in Tikanga

22 February 2024

Acting chief executive Todd Maddock recently completed his learner journey by attaining the New Zealand Certificate in Tikanga with Te Mahi Ako.

Skills Active and Te Mahi Ako honours outstanding achievers in Māori Sports Scholarship for 2023

15 December 2023

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha Huri noa e te motu o ngā hau e whā Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātau katoa Specialising in work-based learning within the realms of active recreation, leisure, and entertainment, the Skills Active Group administers scholarships dedicated to Māori Sports.

Exercise superstars take the spotlight with Te Mahi Ako awards at the fitness industries big night

6 December 2023

John Mainu’u and Industrial Fitness were awarded for their exceptional mahi in the fitness sector with Te Mahi Ako exercise awards.

Are you looking for funding to get qualified?

16 November 2023

Here at Te Mahi Ako, we're on a mission to make education more accessible and have some exciting news to share with you. Te Mahi Ako recently took a big step forward through a new joint initiative with Generosity New Zealand, Aotearoa’s largest digital search facility for funding information.  

Audio visual superstar, Khiry Hewitt, named 2023 Apprentice of the Year

15 November 2023

Khiry Hewitt, the audio-visual superstar, has earned the esteemed title for this year's top award in work-based learning within te ahumahi ā-rēhia – the active recreation sectors.

Disability Action Plan Reference Group: Helen Vann - the voice of Te Mahi Ako's workplaces

15 November 2023

Te Mahi Ako (TMA) has a commitment to being inclusive of disabled people and creating equitable outcomes for people in achieving their goals. Meet Helen Vann, TMA’s newly appointed voice of TMA’s amazing workplaces under the Disability Action Plan Reference Group (DAPRG).

Rachael: A pioneer of work-based learning in snow sports

1 November 2023

Meet Rachael, the dedicated snow sports school manager at Cardrona. Rachael has embarked on a remarkable journey in the realm of work-based learning through Te Mahi Ako (TMA). Her story is one of passion, dedication, and the transformative power of education within the workplace.

Te Mahi Ako Apprentice of the Year competition: Harrison: Caving apprenticeship superstar on the rise

20 October 2023

Harrison began his professional life studying a diploma of Adventure Tourism Management in Queenstown before making the exciting move to Waitomo Adventures where he started his cave guiding career. Harrison always knew he wanted to work in the outdoors; his passion, driven by providing other people unforgettable experiences.

Te Mahi Ako Apprentice of the Year competition: Cain: Guiding people through the art of fitness

17 October 2023

A true polymath of his craft, Cain Thomas-Knight boasts nearly a decade of experience spanning the realms of aquatics and exercise.

Te Mahi Ako Apprentice of the Year competition: Khiry: Shaping the future of AV and events

13 October 2023

Khiry has been contributing to the audio-visual (AV) industry ever since high school, with his first job being a part of the AV squad helping deliver the iconic production; Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat. Now, Khiry is a senior technician at VIDCOM.

An impressive tale of determination and perseverance

22 August 2023

In an impressive tale of determination and perseverance, Khiry Hewitt has emerged as a shining example of what can be achieved through passion and hard work. Hewitt recently completed his NZ apprenticeship in entertainment and event technology, specialising in audio and vision.

Meet our team: Abby Palmer

14 August 2023

Meet Abby Palmer, a dedicated regional learning advisor at Te Mahi Ako, with a special focus on Snowsports in the picturesque Wanaka region. With her passion for education and snow-related activities, Abby’s role in empowering learners and helping them thrive in their chosen paths cannot be understated. While Abby’s role at Te Mahi Ako is temporary, her dedication to education and snowsports will make a significant impact.

Lily Green to conquer Mt. Worsley

7 August 2023

Lily Green, 20, grew up being lovingly “forced” into rock-climbing by her dad, a rock-climbing instructor. Now, Lily Green is etching her name into the annals of history as a vital member of an 8-man team, aiming to achieve a momentous feat - becoming the world's second group to conquer Mt. Worsley. This majestic peak bears the prestigious name of one of New Zealand's most illustrious explorers, Frank Worsley. The mountain received its name as a tribute to Worsley, the revered New Zealand captain who played a pivotal role in Sir Ernest Shackleton’s illustrious Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, a daring endeavor to cross the Antarctic continent.

Meet our team: Denny Liard

24 July 2023

Denise Liard is a regional learner advisor at Te Mahi Ako for West Auckland and Northland. Originally from Scotland, Denny came to New Zealand 17 years ago on a snowboarding trip and has been here ever since, gaining a wealth of experience in tourism, hospitality and education.

A year of new beginnings for vocational education

27 June 2023

In their recently released 2022 annual reports, Skills Active Aotearoa and its new subsidiary Te Mahi Ako each reflect upon a pivotal year of changes, challenges and achievements.

Career pathways key to swim school’s growth

27 June 2023

Working in the aquatics industry can be so much more than just a summer job, with opportunities to earn qualifications and build a career, says Easyswim swim school owner Todd Morton, who has just had five new apprentices join his growing ranks.

Meet our team: Tracey Hickman

12 June 2023

Tracey Hickman is the national learner advisor for aquatics at Te Mahi Ako. Coming from a whānau of swimmers, she has been involved in aquatics her whole life, with 35 years of industry experience both on the frontline and behind the scenes.

Meet our team: Daniel Adams

12 June 2023

Daniel Adams is a programme manager at Te Mahi Ako. A former teacher with a musical background, Dan firmly believes that a learner’s experience is just as important as their destination.

Learning on the job as a team builds understanding

6 June 2023

When he first started his Facility Operations Apprenticeship at the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre in Wellington, Will Dewhirst was a programmes coordinator. Now the programmes team leader, he says working towards the qualification has been so valuable, he has his entire crew doing it.

Meet our team: Michelle Triggs

22 May 2023

Michelle Triggs is a regional learner advisor at Te Mahi Ako. Based in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, she is also a yoga instructor and has a background in education spanning 25 years. With a keen interest in tennis, paddleboarding and trail biking, it is fair to say fitness is a big part of her life.

2022 baseline survey results

9 May 2023

We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who responded to our 2022 Survey. This was our first survey as Te Mahi Ako. We wanted to ensure we had a good understanding of what you thought of us as a new organisation.

Meet our team: Jo Sheffield

23 March 2023

Jo Sheffield is an education evaluator and researcher at Te Mahi Ako. Jo is all about making sure that education is really working for the people it serves. She has worked in business consulting, adult education and training needs analysis, and joined Te Mahi Ako in 2022.

Meet our team: Lizzie Parker

15 March 2023

Lizzie Parker is the assessor and facilitator liaison lead at Te Mahi Ako. Her career in teaching, learning and assessment started off with a role as a travel and tourism tutor at a private training establishment, followed by working as a lecturer, a programme manager, an assessment writer and a moderator.

Meet our team: Sue Gemmell

14 March 2023

Sue Gemmell is the Education Development manager at Te Mahi Ako. Teaching and learning has always been at the centre of Sue’s working life. She has been a ski instructor and patroller, a PE teacher and an outdoor instructor.

Tautoko for excellence in te ahumahi ā-rēhia: Te Mahi Ako 2022 scholarships

2 March 2023

Te Mahi Ako celebrated high achievers in te ahumahi ā-rēhia with its 2022 scholarships.

Tautoko for excellence in te ahumahi ā-rēhia: Te Mahi Ako 2022 Māori Sports scholarship

2 March 2023

Te Mahi Ako celebrated high achievers in te ahumahi ā-rēhia with its Māori Sports Scholarship for 2022.

Work-based learning graduates celebrate the achievements of 2022

1 February 2023

Whakamihi nui ki a koutou to all our work-based learners who completed their qualifications in te ahumahi ā-rēhia in 2022.

Get the lowdown on te ahumahi ā-rēhia jobs with Te Mahi Ako career maps

31 January 2023

Did you know that lift operators sometimes turn into bungy operators over the summer? Or that lifeguards often add swim teaching and aqua fitness to their repertoire? The updated Te Mahi Ako career pathway maps are spilling the secrets on all the rewarding careers to be had in te ahumahi ā-rēhia.

Meet our team: Donna Hooper

26 January 2023

Donna Hooper is a programme manager at Te Mahi Ako. She has been involved in aquatics and education for most of her life, and believes that being safe and confident in the water is central to life as a Kiwi kid.

Meet our team: Ryan Stark

18 January 2023

Ryan Stark is regional learning advisor at Te Mahi Ako. Ryan loves working outdoors or in the water, and these days he is helping others follow their passion for active roles, through his job as a regional advisor for Te Mahi Ako in Hawke’s Bay.

Te Mahi Ako appoints Dr Sian Clancy

18 January 2023

Dr Sian Clancy has joined Te Mahi Ako as general manager of Education.

Rauemi rangatahi to recognise young paddlers and trampers

18 January 2023

Te Mahi Ako has launched two new rauemi rangatahi (youth resources) for Kiwi kura – Tramping and Camping, and Waka Ama.

Meet our team: Emma Brown

13 January 2023

Emma Brown is a regional learner advisor at Te Mahi Ako. Based in Dunedin, Emma says nothing beats walking alongside learners on their journey. They find the right qualification, get excited, put in the work and get through the challenges, and everyone gets to celebrate when they graduate.

Meet our team: Ang Robinson

14 December 2022

Ang Robinson is a regional learner advisor at Te Mahi Ako. When a job came up in work-based learning in active recreation, it was a combination of all of Ang’s professional interests. Having worked in the employment sector in both Australia and New Zealand, Ang was also a long-time Les Mills group fitness instructor, who understood the gym industry inside and out.

Getting creative to help people find their groove in sport and exercise

14 December 2022

Max Hopf’s working life is about as busy as it gets, with early starts, late finishes, and working all over the Manawatū with people of all ages. Staying fit helps him find a balance, and he’s keen to share the benefits of physical activity through his wide-ranging mahi.

Meet our team: Amanda Gilmore

9 December 2022

Amanda Gilmore is a regional learning advisor at Te Mahi Ako. Before joining the organisation, Amanda worked in the aquatics sector where she super-charged her own career through work-based learning, and helped many others to do the same over her 10 years in the industry.

Te Mahi Ako staff stories told in new video series

6 December 2022

A new suite of videos is telling the story of the people of Te Mahi Ako, and how they tautoko work-based learning in te ahumahi ā-rēhia: the active recreation, leisure and entertainment sectors.

Meet our team: Nick Parke

2 December 2022

Nick Parke is a regional learning advisor at Te Mahi Ako. An avid football fan and player all his life, these days Nick likes to kick a ball around with his young daughter.

Feilding lifeguard named 2022 Te Mahi Ako Apprentice of the Year

30 November 2022

Up-and-coming aquatics manager Nita Reihana has taken out this year’s top award for work-based learners in te ahumahi ā-rēhia – the active recreation sectors.

Exercise advocates recognised with Te Mahi Ako awards at the fitness industry’s big night

29 November 2022

Tony McMahon and Community Leisure Management Richmond were recognised for their efforts to champion skills and education in the fitness sector, with Te Mahi Ako exercise awards.

Meet our team: Matt Powell

16 November 2022

Matt Powell is a regional learning advisor at Te Mahi Ako. Both in his tertiary education role, and his ongoing work as a personal trainer, Matt’s big reward is seeing people develop and grow – whether they are in the gym, on the field or at work. 

Te Mahi Ako Apprentice of the Year competition: Real-life potential shines through

14 November 2022

Nita Reihana entered the aquatics sector as a rookie lifeguard with no experience or qualifications, but her managers soon spotted her talent and hard work, and quickly put her on a leadership track.

Te Mahi Ako Apprentice of the Year competition: An outdoor instruction career that’s going places

10 November 2022

Landing a great job in a stunning location AND furthering your education at the same time? This was a dream come true for outdoor instructor and apprenticeship graduate Alex Parsons.

Te Mahi Ako Apprentice of the Year competition: Supporting wellbeing through the performing arts

27 October 2022

Concerts, shows and other forms of live entertainment might seem like a “nice to have” to some people, but Tim McAneney knows better.

Meet our team: Steve Richens

26 October 2022

Steve Richens is a national learning advisor at Te Mahi Ako. Hailing from the UK, Steve has loved all forms of sport and coaching throughout his life.

Beyond full steam and still stepping up at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables

26 October 2022

After 14 years at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, what keeps Jim Hemingway coming back to work is a team where everybody gets stuck in, and where staff get to follow their passion.

Meet our team: Angie Gooch

17 October 2022

Angie Gooch is a regional learning advisor at Te Mahi Ako. Angie is someone who likes variety, and her interests have spanned a few of the sectors in te ahumahi ā-rēhia.

Meet our team: Caro Verhagen

12 October 2022

Caro Verhagen is the manager of the Regional Learner Engagement team at Te Mahi Ako. After doing her OE, Caro followed her passion and got qualified as an outdoor instructor and adult educator, where she was able to be part of people’s progression and growth, using the outdoors as a setting for learning.

Meet our team: Ant Cox

7 October 2022

Anthony Cox is the chief financial officer of Skills Active Aotearoa Ltd.  Ant is a numbers person. This year he has a goal to walk 3000km, which works out to 8.2km per day, and is currently on track to achieve this goal.

Meet our team: Emily Cooper

6 October 2022

Emily Cooper is the learner engagement process lead at Te Mahi Ako. Emily started as a pool lifeguard with Christchurch City Council in 2005. She assumed she would move on after she finished her degree, but she had awesome managers who gave her lots of different opportunities.

An independent work-based learning provider is launched: Te Mahi Ako gets underway

3 October 2022

Today Skills Active Aotearoa group officially launched its new tertiary education organisation, Te Mahi Ako, with a karakia in Wellington.

Meet our team: Todd Maddock

12 September 2022

Todd Maddock will be general manager of Operations at Skills Active Group. He’s very proud to be part of the back-office team supporting the educators and field staff at Skills Active Te Mahi Ako, who bring work-based learning to our industries.

Meet our team: Chauntelle Brown

9 September 2022

Chauntelle Brown will be Te Mahi Ako’s kaitohutohu tikanga rua (bicultural advisor). She spent seven years working in a regional sports trust, developing programmes and events for schools, and helping community organisations to access sport and recreation funding.

Celebrating the Lifeguard of the Year, and all lifeguards, at the WAVES conference

5 September 2022

Skills Active was thrilled to be part of this year’s WAVES conference for aquatics professionals, where the Lifeguard of the Year Joseph Whittaker was awarded a $1000 grant towards future study.

Meet our team: Maren Frerichs

2 September 2022

Maren is the chief operating officer of Skills Active, and the interim chief executive of Te Mahi Ako. She has spent the past two years guiding the organisation through the reform of vocational education, and steering the course to establish an independent work-based learning provider.

Meet our team: Kuruho Wereta

22 August 2022

Kuruho Wereta was the kaitohutohu tikanga rua (bicultural advisor) at Skills Active Aotearoa and recently handed this role over to Chauntelle Brown. Although he has fulfilled his time at Skills Active, we wanted to acknowledge the big role he played in helping us to build the foundations of Te Mahi Ako.

Meet our team: Ben Corcoran

17 August 2022

Ben Corcoran will be general manager of Engagement at Skills Active Te Mahi Ako. He had a long career in the outdoors before joining Skills Active, doing everything from outdoor education and ski patrolling, through to facilitating leadership courses for the army.

Meet our team: Alan Reynolds

15 August 2022

Alan Reynolds will manage a team of national learning advisors at Te Mahi Ako. Alan worked in senior roles in the UK chemical sector for many years, but industrial chemicals weren’t his dream.

Meet our team: Denise Clarke

8 August 2022

Denise Clarke will be the Learner Support manager at Te Mahi Ako. Denise has taught adult learners in a whole range of settings, but one thing she particularly remembers is teaching Level 2 hospitality to prison inmates.

Outdoor instructor helping rangatahi to smash through the comfort zone

4 August 2022

Rachel Crago considers herself very lucky to have been immersed in the outdoors from a young age. Now, as a full-time outdoor instructor, she is helping others to discover the life changes that come with getting out of the comfort zone and into the green zone.

Bay Venues staff upskilling on the job

1 August 2022

Bay Venues in Tauranga is supporting its staff with work-based learning to help them step up and grow their skills within the business.

Meet our team: Aimee Froud

28 July 2022

As Skills Active general manager of People and Culture, Aimee Froud is helping to build the new team structure at Skills Active Te Mahi Ako. With a theatre degree, and a love of helping people, fixing problems and organising things, Aimee has done all sorts of jobs.

Nga taonga tākaro practitioners gather for Skills Active assessor wānanga

25 July 2022

Skills Active was thrilled to bring together our Ngā Taonga Tākaro trainee assessors and tauira (learners) from around the motu, for a wānanga held at Kokiri Marae in Wellington.

Skills Active Te Mahi Ako secures NZQA registration

18 July 2022

Skills Active's new, independent work-based learning provider, Te Mahi Ako, has been granted NZQA registration.

Putting in the work during a year of change

18 July 2022

Skills Active’s 2021 annual report looks back on an exciting year in which the team was busy planting the seeds for transformative changes which are now well underway, says board chair Sam Napia.

Newly established Skills Active Te Mahi Ako to take over work-based learning

1 June 2022

The TEC Board has agreed in principle to Skills Active Aotearoa's plan to transition to its work-based learning services to Skills Active Te Mahi Ako.

Te ahumahi ā-rēhia apprentices get another boost in their learning

16 May 2022

The government’s extension of the Apprenticeship Boost programme is a win-win-win for apprentices, employers and participants in sport, recreation and performing arts, says Skills Active Aotearoa chief operating officer Maren Frerichs.

Sharing the love: A yoga teacher and fitness all-rounder reflects on helping others succeed

28 March 2022

Yoga teacher and business owner Zuri Brudenell has always looked at life as a journey of development – setting goals, reaching them, and setting new ones.

Skills Active scholarship winners growing the skill base

10 February 2022

Skills Active is thrilled to celebrate Eric Schusser at Snow Farm, and Flyers Swim School of Stratford, through its 2021 Volunteer and Small Business scholarships.

Skills Active celebrates all the graduates of 2021

8 February 2022

We would like to extend our hearty congratulations to all those Skills Active certificate and apprenticeship graduates who completed their qualifications in 2021.