Feilding lifeguard named 2022 Te Mahi Ako Apprentice of the Year

Based at the Makino Aquatic Centre in Feilding, Nita was named the Te Mahi Ako Apprentice of the Year at the Recreation Awards in Nelson last week.

Every year this award goes to an exceptional apprenticeship graduate who has demonstrated talent, hard work and a commitment to increasing the health and wellbeing of New Zealand communities, through recreation, sport or entertainment and events.

Nita completed the Te Mahi Ako Senior Pool Lifeguard apprenticeship. You can find out more about her rapid rise through the aquatics sector here.

“We could not have asked for a better graduate to represent the hard work and talent among our apprentices,” says Te Mahi Ako chief executive Maren Frerichs.

“In our sectors, stars like Nita can find purposeful careers that align with their values and grow their communities in positive ways,” says Ms Frerichs.

“Vocational education empowers kaimahi rēhia to unpack their potential and flourish at work, and as a population we all benefit from their contributions.

“So we were very excited to see Nita on the stage at the Recreation Aotearoa awards, accepting her prize, and we’ll be proud supporters watching her career with interest in the future.”

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Media contact: Esther McLaren | esther@skillsactive.org.nz | 021 195 5127

Skills Active Aotearoa Group is a not-for-profit organisation, 50% owned by Māori shareholders, supporting capability development in te ahumahi ā-rēhia: the active recreation, leisure, entertainment and events sectors.

Te Mahi Ako is part of the Skills Active group, and supports individuals to develop themselves through real-life learning within businesses, iwi and communities.