Māngere’s First BikeFIT Mechanics Graduate, and the Wheels Keep Turning

When six new bike mechanics graduated from the Māngere Green Skills: BikeFIT Mechanic Pilot, they were realising a dream first imagined by local leader, Teau “Mr Tee” Aiturau.

Run through Time to Thrive (Triple Teez) in Māngere, the 12-week pilot trained Bella, Simon, Tini, Colin, Parai and Willie in bike repair while also building teamwork and confidence. The course was taught by Rene “The Bike Professor” van Rijn, and backed by The Southern Initiative, Auckland Council, alongside partners Auckland Transport and Social Labour Supply. Each graduate received a professional toolkit to keep repairing and maintaining bikes in their communities.

For Sokko Seeto, Operations Manager at Triple Teez, the milestone captured what the hub is about:

“This has always been Mr Tee’s dream. Out of thousands who come through, he picked these six to take part. Some came willingly, others weren’t so sure, but every single one of them stayed the distance. These aren’t just bike skills, they’re life skills.”

Simon wasted no time putting his new skills into action. On graduation day, he took his toolkit straight to AUT Manukau, where he ran a hands-on session with students, showing them how to fix a bike chain and encouraging more young people to cycle to their studies by identifying safe routes in South Auckland.

“We’ve got to keep the wheels spinning. In the future we won’t be around, so we need to pass this on to the next generation,” he said.

Parai spoke of the pride in being first:

“This is the first time we’ve brought Pacific culture into bike mechanic training. That’s something special for Māngere.”

Trainer Rene praised the team’s determination:
“The group just kept stepping up. Week after week, they got faster, more confident, more focused. Their enthusiasm to learn really stood out. They smashed it.”

What’s next?

A second intake of learners is already underway, alongside a rangatahi stream where local high school students will learn bike repair supported by the first cohort as peer mentors. The project team is also linking with retailers and training providers to build South Auckland’s bike economy.

As Sokko puts it:
“Māngere’s cycleways are starting to connect, and more people are getting on bikes. But this is about more than bikes. It’s about confidence, connection, and creating our own solutions. And this is just the start.”

For The Southern Initiative, the pilot shows the power of local leadership backed by local government support.

With the pilot wrapping up after the second intake, the focus is on sharing lessons so other communities can grow their own bike movements, with a case study report available for those ready to keep the wheels spinning.

Graduates of the first BikeFIT Mechanic course with the project team

ENDS

Media contact:
Szening Ooi – Szening.ooi@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

About Time to Thrive (Triple Teez):
A Māngere-based grassroots organisation committed to health, sustainability and whānau wellbeing through cycling.

About The Southern Initiative:
A social innovation unit within Auckland Council focused on tackling intergenerational inequities in South and West Auckland.