Kia Tū Pathway Programme - Celebrating our 2025 Graduates!
On Friday 28 November, we celebrated the achievements of our most recent Kia Tū Pathway Programme cohort, who began their journey on 
Tuesday 7 October. Thirteen students successfully completed their microcredential at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), marking an important step in finding life direction building their pathway to future employment.
Throughout the programme, students explored a range of industries and workplaces, including Naylor Love Construction, Invercargill Licensing Trust, Niagara, Mannaki Whitebait, Fonterra. They also visited the trades workshops at SIT, gaining hands-on insight into practical skills and possible career paths.
We are incredibly proud of this group. Many arrived unsure of their next steps, and it has been amazing to see their confidence grow, their willingness to try new things, and their commitment to the process. A special mention goes to those who challenged themselves to speak at the graduation. Your courage and confidence inspired everyone.
Some students plan to continue their studies at SIT in 2026 in programmes such as Digital Media, Cookery, and Construction, while others are pursuing opportunities in hospitality, teaching, automotive work, and more. Watching them gain clarity about their futures has been incredibly rewarding.
Looking back on 2025, it has been a fantastic year for Kia Tū. This programme was a new initiative built out of education workstream within Murihiku Regeneration. It is innovative in both its design and the rūnanga/tertiary education collaboration created to deliver it. Having our Ākonga access SIT campus experience alongside, regional workplaces has provided rich opportunities and experiences.
Our students visited workplaces across Southland, and we are grateful to all the organisations that hosted us, including Naylor Love Construction, Invercargill Licensing Trust, Niagara, Mannaki Whitebait, Foveaux Paua, Fonterra, Tiwai NZAS, Southport, Meridian, and Mercury, as well as the employers who have welcomed our graduates into their businesses. Thanks also to everyone involved. This has been a collaborative effort, and we truly appreciate the support that has helped make the programme a success for our students.
We’re doing it again next year!
We are excited for 2026, with four cohorts scheduled across the year:
- 10 February to 2 April
- 21 April to 12 June
- 21 July to 11 September
- 13 October to 4 December
If you or someone you know would like to host a site visit, have employment opportunities available, or are interested in attending one of the 2026 courses, please get in touch. We would be happy to connect.
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Thanks to the employers who supported our Kia Tū programme in 2025!
Employers provide real-world opportunities through site visits and job placements in sectors actively recruiting in Southland for our SIT based Kia Tū Trade Training Pathway Programme. We would particularly like to thank the following for their ongoing support:
- Niagara Sawmill
- Invercargill Licencing Trust
- Meridian Energy
- Mercury Energy
- The Bluff Aquaculture Hub
- Tiwai Smelter (NZAS)
- South Port
- Fonterra
- Downer
Posted: 9 December 2025