Breaking barriers: Aviator unveils plan to elevate Pacific representation

The chief executive of JNP Aviation says the company's mission is to continue growing Pacific representation in the industry.

JNP Aviation, based in Mount Maunganui, is an airport services company contracted to Air New Zealand to handle ground operations at multiple airports in Aotearoa.

Speaking to PMN Niue, JNP CEO Josh Godsmark Payne (Māori, Avateli in Niue) says he founded the business to empower Pacific people in an industry he initially saw as financially and academically out of reach.

According to Ringa Hora, the Workforce Development Council for the services sector, Pacific people make up 11 per cent of the Aviation and Airport Services industry and seven per cent of the total economy and Ringa Hora sectors.

“It's all about trying to keep these young rangatahi and Pasifika inspired,” Payne says.

“We do that by reaching out to all of these other organisations because we actually have a really good name in the industry.

“Everybody is out there to help support us. So we are looking at all ways to grow our representation out on that tarmac and in that cockpit.”

JNP also has a dedicated training branch - JNP Aviation Training (JNPAT) - which offers education pathways to increase Pacific and Māori representation within New Zealand’s aviation sector.

Payne says JNPAT equips around 200 students annually through their gateway programmes, teaching a range of aviation skills, from ramp and check-in procedures to piloting.

The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

From humble beginnings to over 100 staff

Payne's passion for flying began early, but he struggled to see himself entering the aviation field due to financial constraints and a lack of role models in the industry.

However, the responsibility of becoming a father at 17 ignited his desire to pursue his dreams and provide his sons with the discipline, self-belief, and “the best chance at success”.

“This is through positive encouragement. It was me showing them that as long as you have a passion, you can achieve anything.

“It was about inspiring them to chase their own dreams no matter what the obstacles are.”

The business had humble beginnings in Whakatāne, where Payne began his flying career with a local charter operator in 2006.

Since then, JNP has expanded significantly. It is now engaged in various aviation-related tasks and has a workforce of 150 staff members.

‘We can do the rest’

In 2020, the average earnings in the aviation industry were $97,100, higher than the national average of $64,000.

Payne encourages young people interested in an aviation career, especially Pacific youth, saying a higher education is not necessary. Still, the willingness to learn and a desire to grow are important.

“Believe in yourself, look at our website [and] we can do the rest.

“We will teach you what you need to know. You don't need to come in with all the qualifications under the sun - we will give you the qualifications.

“One of the biggest challenges is starting, filling out the application form, that’s the hardest piece. It is all about starting that process and then seeing it through.”

To watch Josh Godsmark Payne’s full interview on PMN Niue, click here.

For more information on JNP’s programmes, click here.