(From left to right) EIT CEO Lucy Laitinen, scholarship recipient Manaia Hall, Pan Pac Managing Director Tony Clifford, Ōtātara Trust Chair Geraldine Travers
Last week 18-year-old Wairoa local Manaia Hall (He uri tēnei nō Tūhoe, Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Pūkenga ki Manaia, Ngāti Kahungunu) received the inaugural Pan Pac Engineering Scholarship in front of a room packed with supporters.
Among those there to see it were EIT Council Chair David Pearson and Council member Kerry Marshall, scholarship panel chair Anne Hiha, EIT CEO Lucy Laitinen, EIT executives and staff, Pan Pac Managing Director Tony Clifford with Communications Manager Kimberley Moody, and Electrical Programme Coordinator and Tutor Steve Houliston.
Ōtātara Trust Chair Geraldine Travers presented the scholarship, along with a bouquet of flowers, and spoke about why Manaia was chosen.
“We were particularly keen that the inaugural recipient would be a bit of a groundbreaker. Manaia has broken ground wherever she has been. She’s doing a pre-electrical course at EIT to become an electrician. Her education has been through Māori immersion meaning she is bilingual. She’s been an actor in a film. And she travels down weekly from Wairoa, where she still resides – she’s a bit of a superstar.”
Manaia first heard about the scholarship by email and, with the help of her mum and sister, applied. She didn’t think she would be successful, but she spent two weeks on the application because she knew the money would be a game-changer.
“I wanted to try my hardest for my mum, so she’s not struggling with the money side of things.”
EIT representatives from Te Ara o Tākitimu (MPTT – Māori and Pasifika Trades Training) and electrical teaching staff have enjoyed supporting Manaia, who has earned the respect of staff and fellow students through her positive approach, professionalism, and willingness to contribute throughout her studies.
“As a wahine in trades, she is helping to pave the way for others and serves as an excellent role model for fellow Te Ara o Tākitimu ākonga,” said Work Broker Claire Hodson. “We are proud of her achievements and the positive example she sets through her dedication, perseverance, and success.”
Pan Pac Managing Director Tony Clifford credits company secretary Dennis Hall and Ōtātara Trust scholarship panel chair Anne Hiha for building on Pan Pac’s long-standing relationship with EIT and creating the scholarship.
“It was really thanks to Dennis and Anne, who pulled it all together and came up with the concept of using that capital to generate an annual sum of money that can support someone training in a trade. It’s fabulous to see the fruits of those relationships.”
Manaia Hall standing with Pan Pac Managing Director Tony Clifford holding her scholarship
EIT CEO Lucy Laitinen acknowledged the strong regional focus of Pan Pac as well as the role Ōtātara Trust plays in helping students succeed in their learning and opening up opportunities beyond it.
“I think the strong regional approach and commitment from Pan Pac to institutions like EIT is really important and significant, and we don’t take it for granted. Also, thank you to Geraldine and the trust for your continuing support, keeping EIT, its learners and the community at the heart of all your decisions.”
One of only four wahine in her class, Manaia points to the gender gap as another reason she wanted to train as an electrician.
“I was really hoping this year that I would have a lot of girls from my age or just girls in the class, that’s another reason why I wanted to do this too, because I heard trades in general doesn’t have many girls.” – Manaia Hall
So, what are her long-term goals? “I really want to get into the industrial side of things and then move on to domestic and commercial. This course has really been helping me with the theory side of things. I’m committed.”
Electrical Programme Coordinator and Tutor, Steve Houliston believes the scholarship is totally deserved.
“It recognises not only Manaia’s achievements to date but also her potential as a highly valued member of the industry, and we look forward to seeing her continued success in the years ahead.”