Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
2 minutes ago
Two EIT tutors have spent six weeks in Tokelau, teaching essential plumbing and automotive maintenance skills to support the remote island community.
The program, delivered by Stu Hannam and Chris Olsen last year, focused on equipping locals with the practical knowledge needed to maintain vital infrastructure and improve their quality of life.
Over the course of their stay, the tutors taught 45 students, repaired 60 outboard motors, 15 cars, 5 motorbikes, 5 chainsaws, generators, and a jackhammer. They also worked on plumbing repairs for community buildings, the local hospital, houses, schools, and a hotel.
EIT Automotive Tutor Stu Hannam with students in Tokelau.
The journey to Tokelau was an adventure in itself. After flying from New Zealand to Samoa on August 31, the pair boarded Mataliki, Tokelau’s ferry, for a 46-hour voyage across rough seas.
They arrived at the atoll of Atafu on September 6, where they spent 16 days teaching, before moving to Nukunonu, the largest atoll, for another 18 days.
For Hannam, an automotive tutor, the trip was about addressing a critical need. “The people didn’t really know how to fix things themselves,” he said.
“They fixed things only when they broke. I showed them how to service their outboards to make them safe at sea. It’s crucial because they rely on fishing for food and survival.”
Olsen, a plumbing tutor, emphasised the importance of water management in the islands.
“Water is their lifeline. They don’t have natural groundwater, so everything is collected in tanks,” he explained. “We taught them how to fix leaks and install proper spouting to catch rainwater. A lot of the work involved tweaking their existing knowledge and showing them how to do things properly.”
The impact of their training extended beyond individual skills. On Nukunonu, the Taupulea (Council of Elders) decided to establish a dedicated plumbing team from Olsen’s graduates.
“It was awesome to see the community so happy about the knowledge their people gained.”
The tutors fully immersed themselves in Tokelauan culture, participating in activities such as church services, a dance competition, and cricket matches.
“The singing in church was amazing,” Olsen recalled. “And, yes, we got roped into dancing, which was a lot of fun.”
For both tutors, the experience was profoundly rewarding.
“It really reinforced how we, as educators, can make a huge difference in remote communities,” Olsen said.
Hannam agreed, noting how appreciative the Tokelauan people were. “They’ve told me their motors are running better than ever, and they feel safer going out to fish.”
Their time on Nukunonu concluded with a ceremony attended by the Ulu-o-Tokelau (Head of Government), Alapati Tavite, who praised the success of the program.
While no official plans to return have been confirmed, both tutors hope this is just the beginning.
“There’s still a third atoll we didn’t get to because of time constraints,” Olsen said. “If given the chance, we’d love to continue this work.”
Andrew McCrory, Assistant Head School of Trades and Technology, said teaching these valuable Plumbing and Automotive Skills was a huge success for EIT and the Tokelauan Communities.
“Student engagement and embracing the community is important in these situations, and full credit must go to Chris and Stu for taking time away from their families to make this happen. They have both laid the groundwork for more tertiary education in Tokelau.”
