Air New Zealand is funding a feasibility study into an aviation engineering training hub in Kerikeri. Photo / NZME
Northland could soon train its own aviation engineers as a study is looking into whether Kerikeri is the right place for a high-value industry school.
Air New Zealand is exploring in collaboration with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia, Northland iwi and hapū, local secondary schools and aviation industry stakeholders the potential for an aviation engineering vocational training school in the Bay of Islands town.
The airline will fund a feasibility study considering student demand, delivery options, facilities, regulatory requirements and employment pathways.
Air New Zealand chief operating officer for tech ops Michael Williams said the initiative is about opening practical pathways into meaningful careers while building capability in a critical industry.
“New Zealand’s aviation sector depends on highly skilled people. Building that capability starts with accessible, high-quality training opportunities that will support a strong aviation sector into the future.
With more than 1100 aviation engineers across Air New Zealand, Williams said building a strong, sustainable talent pipeline was “important to maintaining world-class engineering and maintenance capability here in Aotearoa”.
If the study confirms a viable opportunity, Air New Zealand would contribute industry expertise to support programme design, curriculum alignment and pathways into employment.
Long-term funding and operating arrangements would be developed with education providers, hapū, iwi and community stakeholders.
Northland Inc chief executive Paul Linton said developing skilled talent pipelines is key to Northland’s long-term growth.
He said the initiative could connect rangatahi with high-value aviation engineering careers while supporting a critical national industry. It also showed how partnerships between industry, iwi and education can build capability in Te Tai Tokerau.
“We’ve built a strong partnership with Air New Zealand and it is encouraging to see it evolve, with the airline’s interest in skills and training investment reflecting growing confidence in Northland as a place to invest and create opportunity,” Linton said.
Ngāti Rēhia has endorsed further exploration with early discussions highlighting potential for meaningful local impact through skills development and employment.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia chairperson Kipa Munro said they support the potential development as it could open up a new pathway for local rangatahi.
“Aviation may not be an obvious option when we look at the common and usual career choices but may in fact be very rewarding.”
Aviation Industry Association chief executive Simon Wallace said an aviation training facility could be a win for Northland and the wider aviation community.
He said there is a shortage of about 300 aviation engineers in New Zealand annually and the industry has been working together to address it.
“We are really pleased that as a result of the work that we’ve done that Air New Zealand is going to look at a feasibility study with the hope that there will be an engineering training facility and it will be really good for Northland youth.”
Wallace said there was not enough funding support for aviation engineering training and the Government would need to step in to back the facility.
“Once a young New Zealander has completed their engineering training, it’s actually a very, very good career pathway to earning a really good salary over time.”
Wallace said existing aviation pathways have been really limited.
“That’s why we are in real desperate need for the kind of training facility that Air New Zealand is planning up in Kerikeri.”
Northland MP Grant McCallum said the region would benefit from high-value training and career pathways if the feasibility study succeeds.
He said it’s a great opportunity for Kerikeri and would connect youth to well-paid jobs that boost the wider Northland economy.
“If the feasibility work stacks up, this could become a flagship example of how industry and community can work together to deliver real training opportunities and real jobs for Northland.”
Findings from the feasibility study will be made available in late 2026 and will determine whether an aviation training school can be established in Kerikeri and what partnership, delivery and funding arrangements would be required to bring it to life.