Posts by Melissa Mae

What does a career in manufacturing look like in 2025? Our team recently found out after an invite to visit from Head of Operations Hayden Briscoe. And if you ask…

Ten Year 12 and 13 students from across the region came together, not to talk about logos, but to talk about belonging, vibrancy, and what it would take to stay…

Our Instep Young Leaders recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Seeka, one of New Zealand’s largest horticultural companies. The visit offered a look at how innovation,…

Across the Bay of Plenty, a collective of regional employers and professional service firms is working together to open doors for the next generation. Through hands-on experiences and real conversations…

There’s a quiet but confident buzz rising through the heart of Tauranga. Step into the city centre and you’ll find it’s not business as usual. It’s business better than ever.…

Our Instep Young Leaders braved the chilly morning last week for a chance to go behind the scenes of a major building project and hear directly from the LT McGuinness…

We’re thrilled to welcome Basie Pikimaui to the Ara Rau team as our new Employment Mentor. A calm presence with a strategic mindset, Basie brings a fresh energy to our…

More than 220 students from across the Western Bay of Plenty took part in this year’s yia! (Young Innovator Awards), bringing their boldest ideas to life in a one-day design…

What does it take to land a career at the intersection of adventure, people, and precision? For a group of Year 12 students from Mt Maunganui College, the answer came…

When Ezra reflects on his time with Ara Rau, it is the hands-on, practical nature of the experience that stands out. From forklift training to barista skills, the programme offered…

The Tauranga Moana Regional Talent forum brought together an energised mix of educators, employers, changemakers, and community leaders, all leaning into one shared goal: building a future of work that…