JNPAT’s main education base is located in Tauranga, right in the heart of the city’s airport zone and aeronautical business park. This includes our head office, a newly built second classroom, as well as a purpose-built aeronautical engineering workshop (all within the Classic Flyers Engineering Hangar), and incorporates our original Hangar 8 classroom on Aerodrome Rd, which is still in full use.  

The most unique component of our facilities at our main base is our training aircraft - a decommissioned ATR-72 acquired from Air New Zealand that has been transformed into a practical learning tool. This “waka rererangi” (training aircraft) is well positioned close by offering hands-on learning for the next generation of aviation enthusiasts and those already involved in the industry. It’s in high demand for various training purposes including emergency services, ground operations training and de-icing, and health, safety, and security practices.

Together these facilities represent a deliberately located and thoughtfully designed educational base in an environment that is authentic, hands-on and aligned with real-world industry demands.

Rotorua Airport is one of Aotearoa’s most iconic aviation gateways, set against the backdrop of Rotorua’s geothermal landscape, rich culture, and world-renowned tourism. It’s a place where the excitement of aviation meets the mana of the region, making it an inspiring environment for students to explore future career pathways.

This year marked something truly special with the launch of Take Off, our inaugural Gateway course designed to introduce secondary school students to the world of aviation, operations, and airport careers. What makes this programme unique is the incredible leadership behind it - our CEO, Josh Payne, who is also the CEO of JNP Aviation (the provider of ground operations at Rotorua Airport), personally led the course.

It’s not every day that a CEO steps into the classroom to teach, guide, and inspire the next generation. Josh’s hands-on involvement reflects the genuine commitment Rotorua Airport has to nurturing local talent and opening doors to real opportunities within the aviation sector. Students weren’t just learning about airport operations—they were learning directly from someone who lives and breathes the industry at the highest level.

Rotorua Airport is more than just a travel hub; it’s a community connector and an exciting launching point for young people dreaming about aviation careers. The Take Off programme is a testament to the airport’s commitment to giving rangatahi a meaningful, real-world pathway into one of New Zealand’s most dynamic industries.

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Whangārei Airport sits at the heart of Te Tai Tokerau, connecting Northland communities with the rest of Aotearoa while capturing the warmth, spirit, and resilience of the region.

The year 2025 marked the first-ever delivery of Take Off in Whangārei from Whangārei Flying Club near the airport for secondary school students and is led by Dontae Kake, whose deep roots in the community and extensive aviation experience make him the perfect mentor for aspiring young talent. Dontae brings a wealth of industry knowledge, having served as the Ramp Manager for JNP Aviation before stepping into his current role as Health & Safety Manager. His leadership is grounded not only in professional expertise but also in genuine community commitment - he actively volunteers with LANDSAR, demonstrating his dedication to service, teamwork, and supporting others. Students learn from someone who understands the industry inside and out, who knows the local community, and who is passionate about guiding rangatahi toward meaningful futures - helping young people see that exciting aviation careers can start right here in their own backyard.  

We also offer work-based training from Whangārei Airport as well in conjunction with JNP Aviation.

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The Wanganui Aero Club was established in 1929 and was one of the first Commercial Flight Training establishments in Australasia. They have over eighty years experience training recreational and commercial pilots. The Club provides professional flight training for Recreational to Commercial Pilot Licences and further on a in-formal pay as you go basis.

Based at the Wanganui Airport, the Wanganui Aero Club is operating at an uncontrolled airport with minimal congestion, which means less time on the ground holding for other aircraft and more time flying. Its central location makes it easy to reach a lot of New Zealand by air.

We are lucky enough to work with the Flight Instructors at Wanganui Aero Club, and offer our Take Flight course to local secondary school students.

JNP Aviation’s Ramp Manager and JNPAT Instructor Dylan Anderson, is working with JNPAT is assist his Blenheim (BHE) team gain various work-based qualifications and credentials- a key step in reinforcing a strong health and safety culture within aviation operations.

Marlborough Airport’s Operations & Safety Manager, Steve Holtum advocates the importance of qualifications in ground services, and supports our new Take off micro-credential for secondary schools for 2026.

We’re also excited to provide our flight gateway course at the Marlborough Aero Club in 2026, opening pathways for South Island school leavers into this exciting industry. (See Marlborough location)

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Marlborough Airport Ltd, Blenheim, is a dynamic regional airport hub that works with Air New Zealand, Origin Air, Sounds Air, and RNZAF, and with always plenty happening on the ramp! JNP Aviation’s Ramp Manager and JNPAT Instructor Dylan Anderson, is working with JNPAT is assist his Blenheim (BHE) team gain various work-based qualifications and credentials- a key step in reinforcing a strong health and safety culture within aviation operations.

Marlborough Airport’s Operations & Safety Manager, Steve Holtum advocates the importance of qualifications in ground services, and supports our new Take off micro-credential for secondary schools for 2026.

We’re also excited to provide our flight gateway course at the Marlborough Aero Club in 2026, opening pathways for South Island school leavers into this exciting industry.

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In 2026, Whakatāne Airport will join our list of locations for delivery of for our Take Off Gateway micro-credential, providing secondary school students with hands-on experience in aviation, airport operations, and career pathways in the industry. This location is particularly special, as it holds a personal connection for our CEO, Josh Payne, who began his aviation journey here as a “rampie.”

Josh, who is also the CEO of JNP Aviation, will personally lead the course, bringing his wealth of experience and passion for mentoring the next generation. For him, delivering Take Off in Whakatāne is more than a professional milestone - it’s a chance to give back to the community that shaped his early career, inspiring students to see the exciting opportunities that exist in aviation right in their own backyard.

Whakatāne Airport provides a unique setting for learning and growth, combining the excitement of airport operations with the warmth and connectivity of a close-knit community. With Take Off, students won’t just be exploring aviation - they’ll be connecting with an instructor and mentor who understand the local industry, the local people, and the pathways to success.

In February 2025, secondary school students from Gisborne Boys High, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Nga Uri a Maui and Campion College took part in the JNP Aviation Training Ltd Introduction to Aviation Ground Handling (level 3) micro-credential (Take Off) – held for 2 weeks at Gisborne Airport. JNPAT Instructor Dave Jenner, travelled and stayed in Gisborne, with all our teaching equipment, and were lucky enough to be able to set up and teach out of the Tairawhiti Aviation Museum. Dave and the students worked with the JNP Aviation Ramp agents at Gisborne Airport. This course could not have been run without the foresight and organisational skills from Sara Evans and Gisborne Boys High and the support of Airport Manager Murray Bell and Gisborne Airport ,the JNP Aviation ground ops team at Gisborne Airport, and the Trust Tairawhiti.

Take Off provided a valuable insight into the opportunities within the aviation industry – control tower, emergency services, ground handling (airport services), flying,engineering and more.

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The learners’ feedback said it all:

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What did you like most?

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“Firstly I liked how we all bonded with each other and coming out of our comfort zone when doing these activity's and learning new stuff. what I liked the most was being out there and being active”

“Very cool experience, would love to see myself around the aviation environment one day“

“First of all the people that we met were very welcoming and nice to all of the boys. I enjoyed the baggage handling, it was cool and good to learn for a possible future”

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We hope to be back in Gisborne soon!