ISSUE 89 APRIL 2026
THE VOICE OF THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Capricorn Rising Stars 2026: nominations open now
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE NEW ZEALAND WINNER OF THE CAPRICORN RISING STARS AWARDS IS GUARANTEED A MAJOR PRIZE. DOES YOUR WORKSHOP HAVE SOMEONE WHO DESERVES THE SPOTLIGHT?
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here is a particular kind of apprentice in every workshop. They arrive early. They ask good questions. They take feedback on board and come back the next day sharper for it. They are not just learning a trade; they are building a career, and they care about doing it properly. The Capricorn Rising Stars Awards were created for exactly that person. And in 2026, for the first time in the award’s nine-year history, New Zealand will get its own overall winner.
This is a significant shift. In previous years, there were six runner-up winners and one overall winner across New Zealand and Australia. This year, the awards will have one overall winner from Australia as well as one overall winning apprentice from New Zealand. This change recognises the need to spotlight the talented apprentices coming through workshops. Nominations are now open and will close on 1 May 2026.
Donovan Le Roux, Apprentice of the Year 2025 Winner, NZ
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