JNP Aviation is an award-winning (Tauranga Business Award 2021, Workplace Safety) ground operations company that provides aviation ground services for Air New Zealand at up to 16 ports across New Zealand including at its main port, Tauranga Airport.  JNP Aviation has diversified into all areas of airport management, now with over 100 employees – comprising 35% Pacific and Māori staff.

Māori-Niuean CEO Josh Payne recognised the need for qualifications in the aviation ground operations sector and registered JNP Aviation Training (JNPAT) in 2021. JNP Aviation continues to financially support JNPAT as it 'gets off the ground' and we are extremely grateful to Josh, to see such value in education and to continue to 'sponsor' so many people on their aviation pathways.

JNP Aviation, our ‘Industry Arm’ contract to Air New Zealand to provide aviation ground operations services in Tauranga and at 9 other airports around Aotearoa. Air New Zealand ground operations staff have provided valuable input to JNP Aviation Training when designing our aviation qualifications and micro-credentials.

Air New Zealand Regional Teams have also enrolled their own aviation ground staff in JNP Aviation Training’s Certificate in Aviation, Leadership in Aviation, Introduction to Ground Operations and the Assessing in Industry micro-credentials. We value our connections with New Zealand's national carrier.

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Pacific Growth Director, Aifai Esera is also the Cultural Navigator for our learners. He is the perfect fit for this support role; not only has he worked in Aviation Ground Operations, he also has an acute understanding of the context that comes with being a Pacific Islander raised in New Zealand.

Born and raised in the village of Tuana'i in Samoa, Aifai's role is to provide inclusiveness and continuity for Pacific and Māori ākonga - and all JNP Aviation Training students.  Aifai, recently awarded Kiwibank Local Hero of 2024, is gem and we value his support, work and his integral role in JNP Aviation Training.

Pasifika in the Bay are a team of experienced educators and community leaders who work with teachers and teacher educators to create innovative programmes that align with the Ministry of Education’s Action Plan for Pacific Education 2020-2030.

JNP Aviation Training are lucky enough to have Pasifika in the Bay’s Chair, Mel Cottingham, as our Cultural Advisor, programme designer and teacher on the JNPAT Leadership Micro-credential. Mel brings meaningful education and perspectives to our courses, strategy and overall vision. We value Mel’s input and are grateful to have her input and collaboration.

The Tauranga Aero Club is one of the largest flight training providers in the Bay of Plenty. As neighbours of JNP Aviation Training, Tauranga Aero Club have been the perfect collaborators and providers of our first Secondary School Gateway, Take Flight.

This introduction to flight has proved to be so popular and we are very appreciative of all the support and kind recommendations from Tauranga Aero Club. JNPAT is proud to assist Tauranga Aero Club in providing our Gateway to so many Bay of Plenty students.

The Wanganui Aero Club was established in 1929 and was one of the first Commercial Flight Training establishments in Australasia. The Aero Club has over eighty years experience training recreational and commercial pilots.

In 2025, Wanganui Aero Club will be providing our Secondary School Gateway, Take Flight. This introduction to flight has proved to be so popular and we excited to extend this opportunity to the schools in Wanganui and surrounding areas.

Classic Flyers has been involved with running and teaching Classic Flyer’s School Aviation Introduction Courses for many years, and in 2024 saw approximately 2500 students of all ages through their facility for “day visits” with lessons, learning activities and various aircraft experiences.

JNP Aviation Training are very excited to collaborate with Classic Flyers and utilise their expertise and aviation workshops to offer education opportunities in the area introductory aeronautical engineering.

JNP Aviation Training work with Tauranga Airport, including the Managers, Security Staff and the Rescue Fire Team to ensure all training and education is safe and secure when learners are at the airport alongside the JNPAT Instructors.

Tauranga Airport have agreed to host our waka rererangi ATR aircraft aside the Tauranga Airport apron in 2025 for training purposes  - for all passengers to see. JNP Aviation Training are very appreciative of all the support Tauranga Airport provides us.

The Pacific Employment Action Plan (PEAP) is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) to help Pacific people find employment.

‘Industry Arm’ JNP Aviation has been provided with funding to offer their own Pasifika aviation ground staff a Pasifika Aviation Cadetship Teh Cadetship includes Pastoral Care from Aifai Esera, fono, the Certificate in Aviation (level 3) and  Leadership in Aviation micro-credential.  Our first seven Cadets are currently working with JNPAT Instructor Dave Jenner, and we are very grateful that PEAP funding has provided these employees with this opportunity.

Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) Cadetship programme was established in 2010 to support kaitono (employers) to develop, mentor and train their permanent Māori staff at all career stages into higher-skilled roles.

Industry Arm’ JNP Aviation has been provided with funding to offer the Cadetship to their own Māori aviation ground staff. This involves a noho marae with mana whenua at Whareroa marae, the Certificate in Aviation (level 3) and Leadership in Aviation micro-credential.  Our ten Cadets finish working with JNPAT Instructor Dave Jenner, and graduate on February 14^th 2025.

Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, provide hugely advantageous programmes to rangatahi from their Hub in Whakatāne – Tū Māia Rangatahi.  Kaiako Hemi & Ross have travelled over to Tauranga with groups of rangatahi to spend time with our Instructor to complete the Take Off Micro-credential -and of course to show the rangatahi all the amazing opportunities within the aviation industry.

We are looking forward to our new ventures with Tū Māia Rangatahi in Whakatāne Airport in 2025! We are honoured to collaborate with this motivated and supportive team.

Our Workforce Development Council (WDC) Ringa Hora, have been exceptional supporters of JNPAT and our kaupapa. The Māori and Pasifika Transformation Team and the Strategy and Advice Team in particular have been our voice and our supporting link between education and the aviation industry.

Ringa Hora have hosted a Kaupapa Māori Aviation Hui for Māori in aviation to whanaungatanga and to wānanga insights, challenges and future thinking for the aviation industry. This hui included JNPAT’s CEO Josh Payne and four of our Te Puni Kōkiri Cadets. In addition, one of our Pasifika Aviation Cadets (MSD & PEAP) was showcased by Ringa Hora for his success in aviation ground operations and invited on the panel of the Pasifika in Aviation Talanoa. We are very appreciative of Ringa Hora’s unwavering support, and provision of such inspiring hui to showcase the major gaps, and amazing futures in the aviation industry.

NZ Airports is the peak industry body dedicated to supporting New Zealand’s airports and the broader aviation sector. JNP Aviation Training is proud to be a member of the NZ Airports Association and is very thankful to CEO Billie Moore for her encouragement and support.

ITENZ is New Zealand's largest Private Training Establishment (PTE) membership association. As a relatively new and growing PTE, JNP Aviation Training is pleased to be a member of ITENZ, for support and expert advice across all aspects of tertiary learning.