Pull up to Benetito Kaitu’s place at Westown and chances are you’ll see him working on a car. The man from Kiribati is completing a Certificate in Automotive Trades, a qualification he began at WITT in 2009.
His journey to a new life began in 2001, when Benetito came alone to work in New Zealand and send money back to his family on the main island of Tarawa, just above the equator in the Pacific Ocean.
Moving to New Zealand was a big culture shock for Benetito, who is an extremely handy man. In Kiribati, he worked as a flight attendant, did a little bit of mechanical work on cars, repairs on fridge and freezers, plus drove trucks and forklifts.
He first went to WITT in 2008, when he studied for a Certificate in General English (ESOL). The following year he began the automotive course but found it difficult.
In 2010, he worked part-time in an engineering shop and then decided to go back to complete the Level 2 certificate at WITT.
“This time it’s good; I know more. I can explain something to the teacher and I can write my own essay – before I can not do that,” he says.
The 39-year-old works on cars in his neighbourhood and his big dream is to land a job in a New Plymouth automotive garage.