MAST Academy of New Zealand

MAST Academy of New Zealand Empowering NZ’s marine, composites & marina industries through hands-on training: apprenticeships, school-to-work pathways & industry upskilling.

Our Programmes:

MARINE:
What you will learn: A wide variety of trades such as designing, manufacturing, building and selling a range of vessels and marine equipment. The New Zealand Marine Industry is New Zealand’s largest non-primary manufacturing based industry. The New Zealand Marine Industry is highly regarded worldwide for its high quality boats including sailing and motor super yachts, trailer boats and launches as well as a supplier of marine related products and services. The New Zealand Marine Industry needs skilled apprentices to support growth and to drive innovation in the industry. COMPOSITES:
Making & repairing composites. What you will learn: Composites are simply any material made of two or more distinct materials. The composites industry is therefore based around combining a large range of resins with a large range of reinforcement materials to make an even larger range of new products. Composite materials are well known for being lightweight, strong, and corrosion resistant from weather and chemicals. Composite materials such as carbon fibre and fibre glass can be easily molded into complex shapes. MARINA:
Working in a marina. What you will learn: Environment. Marinas are locations with moorings, supplies, and facilities for yachts and boats. These facilities may include refuelling stations, washing and repair facilities, haul out services, and slipways (boat ramps). Some marinas also include on shore services such as clubhouses, showers, marine retailers and more. Those working in marina facilities often have a lot of interaction with customers and visiting boaties. For more information on our programmes please visit: www.mastacademy.com/programmes/

Led by MAST Training Advisor Mike Birdsall, six apprentices recently completed MAST's Build a Boat Framework course at o...
25/09/2026

Led by MAST Training Advisor Mike Birdsall, six apprentices recently completed MAST's Build a Boat Framework course at our Westgate campus.

Over one challenging week, the apprentices worked through the process of framing and setting out a boat's hull framework from scratch, including steam-bending timber, fairing frames to the correct curve and building up the hull structure station by station, ready for planking.

Every frame has to sit true for the hull to fair up correctly, so the process takes precision, patience, problem-solving, and a sharp eye. It's also a great opportunity for apprentices to step away from the workplace, focus on core skills and learn alongside other tradespeople in the industry.

A short but challenging week, and a great example of hands-on learning in traditional boatbuilding. Well done to everyone from Brin Wilson Boat Builders, Motoryacht Service Centre, Orams Marine Park, Marine Reflections and Hutcheson Boat Builders.

Another apprentice cohort has successfully completed their MAST Lofting course, putting traditional boatbuilding skills ...
07/09/2026

Another apprentice cohort has successfully completed their MAST Lofting course, putting traditional boatbuilding skills into practice with precision, patience and plenty of concentration.

The course introduces learners to the traditional skills of scale drawing and lofting, giving them a practical understanding of how a boat's lines and shapes are developed from a drawing into a physical structure. These skills are traditional, but they sit right at the heart of modern boatbuilding. Learners come away with an appreciation of how the different views and measurements of a vessel come together, and how accuracy in the drawing process directly shapes the finished product.

A challenging course and a great opportunity to meet new mates and learn a skill that still has a real place in the industry. Well done to everyone from all, representing Titan Marine, Lloyd Stevenson, Allan Tongs, Circa Marine, Havelock Slipway, Q-West, McMullen & Wing

Six months earlier, this group walked into the MAST campus as strangers. At graduation, they left as mates for life, rea...
25/08/2026

Six months earlier, this group walked into the MAST campus as strangers. At graduation, they left as mates for life, ready for a career in the marine industry.

CEO Chris van der Hor spoke of the significance of the occasion as the very first cohort to complete the MAST Pre-Trade programme and encouraged the graduates to take the skills they had built and run with them.

Campus Tutor Art Doodes watched the group grow, not just in skill, but in confidence and professionalism. He reminded his students that reputation, built through hard work and how you treat others, will carry you further than anything else.

For the graduates, it was six months of highs and challenges, with new techniques and tools to master, moments to be proud of and assessments to tackle. But every student pushed through and came out the other side ready for what’s next. That’s no small thing.

A huge thanks goes to everyone who backed this group along the way, and to our industry partners for the opportunities, mentorship and belief in the next generation of the marine trade.

23/07/2026

Know someone thinking about a career in the marine industry? Share our interactive 3D models and animations – a great way to get to know the industry – and let them know our pre-trade training could be the perfect first step into the marine trades.

Campus Pre-Trade Courses:
12 weeks starting 21 September 2026
6 months starting 9 February 2027

3D Resrouces: https://www.mastacademy.com/3d-video-resources

Pre-trades Course: https://www.mastacademy.com/mast-courses/pre-trade/a-taste-of-marine-trades

Matariki is rising in our mid-winter sky, marking the Māori New Year. At Mast Academy, we're taking this as a chance to ...
09/07/2026

Matariki is rising in our mid-winter sky, marking the Māori New Year. At Mast Academy, we're taking this as a chance to pause together — to remember those we've lost, celebrate what we have, and look ahead with hope.

This year's theme, "Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone," is a reminder that Matariki belongs to every kāinga, every community, every one of us. However you mark it, we hope you find your own way to take part.

Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou Māori 🌟
(Source: matariki.com)

Exciting news! MAST Academy has joined the Safer Boating Forum.We're proud to announce that MAST Academy is now an offic...
09/07/2026

Exciting news! MAST Academy has joined the Safer Boating Forum.

We're proud to announce that MAST Academy is now an official member of the Safer Boating Forum, a nationwide collaboration of organisations working together to improve boating safety across Aotearoa New Zealand.

As an education provider that has supported New Zealand's marine industry for many years, we're passionate about developing the skilled people who build, maintain, and service the boats we all enjoy.

Joining the Forum gives us the opportunity to work alongside government agencies, industry partners, and recreational boating organisations to help promote boating safety, raise awareness, and contribute to initiatives that aim to reduce boating accidents and fatalities.

Safe boating benefits everyone—from experienced skippers and first-time boaties to families enjoying a day on the water.

We're excited to use our knowledge, skills, and industry connections to help make a positive difference and support a safer boating culture across the motu.

Together, let's keep New Zealand's waterways safe for everyone.

Marine technology is evolving — and so are our qualifications. MAST has completed a comprehensive review of two of our...
19/06/2026

Marine technology is evolving — and so are our qualifications.

MAST has completed a comprehensive review of two of our key apprenticeship programmes: Level 4 Powerboat Systems Servicing and Repair and Powerboat Rigging.

For apprentices, this means training that reflects what's actually happening in the industry, including developments in alternative fuels and electric propulsion systems.

Over the past 12 months, we worked alongside Mercury Marine, Yamaha Marine and Promt Parts to review and refine the content, keeping both qualifications relevant, practical and grounded in operational expertise.
A big thanks to our industry partners for the input that helped shape this update.

11/06/2026

Whether you’re starting out or considering a career change, this hands-on pre-trade course is your chance to explore the marine trades – boatbuilding, composites and marine systems. Start your career with pre-trade training at our MAST campus.

Courses start: 21 September 2026 (12 weeks) and 9 February 2027 (6 months). Link in bio for more information.

MAST & NZ Marine staff had the privilege to have a guided tour of Rocket Lab in Mt Wellington. While Rocket Lab’s achi...
08/06/2026

MAST & NZ Marine staff had the privilege to have a guided tour of Rocket Lab in Mt Wellington. While Rocket Lab’s achievements as a leading New Zealand aerospace company are well known, having the privilege to experience their operation firsthand was truly eye-opening for many of our team members. Currently Rocket Lab have a total of 18 apprentices in the composite apprenticeship programme with us – 12 in Mt Wellington and 6 at the Warkworth site.

Rocket Lab

Address

85 Westhaven Drive, St Marys Bay
Auckland
1011

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+6493600056

Website

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