A journey from apprenticeship to ownership
Two former ATNZ apprentices are proving how far dedication, skill and passion for the trade can take you.
Congratulations to Caleb Orotaunga and John Slane, who have recently taken ownership of a long-established Christchurch engineering workshop and relaunched it as Ahu Engineering — a proudly Māori-owned mechanical engineering business specialising in machining, fabrication, maintenance and engineering solutions.
For ATNZ, their story is one worth celebrating.
A strong start in engineering
Caleb and John first made their mark as apprentices. In 2018, Caleb was named ATNZ Apprentice of the Year, with John a runner-up in the same competition.
Both went on to complete their Mechanical Engineering apprenticeships in 2020, building the technical skills, resilience and work ethic that continue to serve them today.
Building Experience in industry
Following their apprenticeships, both continued to grow strong careers in engineering.
Caleb gained valuable experience with companies including Kraft Heinz and Cookie Time, while John built an outstanding reputation through his long service at Mark Sutton Engineering, where he knew the workshop, clients and work inside out.
Those years gave them the practical experience and the confidence to take the next step into business ownership.
A new chapter: Ahu Engineering
On 1 April, Caleb and John officially purchased the business formerly known as Mark Sutton Engineering, continuing a workshop legacy that has operated since 1989.
They have since rebranded the company as Ahu Engineering, creating a new identity that reflects both their future vision and values.
Since taking over, they have hit the ground running — busy from day one and even working through Easter to meet customer demand.
Proudly Māori-owned, values-led
Ahu Engineering is built on four core values:
- Auahatanga – Innovation
- Mātauranga – Professionalism
- Mate Ururoa – Passion to Thrive
- Tuku Iho – Teaching the future generation of mechanical engineering
These values speak not only to quality workmanship, but also to legacy, leadership and giving back to the next generation.
Built for industry
Ahu Engineering provides services including:
- Machining
- CNC lathe and mill work
- Metal fabrication
- Maintenance engineering
- Site engineering services
- Support for manufacturing and food processing operations
What this story shows
Caleb and John’s journey is a powerful example of what apprenticeships can lead to.
From apprentices to qualified tradespeople to business owners — their story shows that with hard work, commitment and belief in yourself, real opportunities can follow.
At ATNZ, we are proud to have been part of their pathway and proud to see two former apprentices preparing to create opportunities for others.
We wish Caleb, John and the team at Ahu Engineering every success for the future.