Arahia changed Rakei's life

By ALANAH MAY ERIKSEN in Rotorua
Hospitality worker Matatapu Rakei learned more than just hospitality skills at Arahia Qualitech.

Miss Rakei, who is from Rarotonga, was shocked to hear Arahia Qualitech courses were under threat.

Attending Arahia gave her hospitality, language and life skills.

"I never missed a day," Ms Rakei said. "I'm from the Islands so I didn't know that much English. I had no idea about what to do. They gave me confidence and I was able to communicate with people."

After completing a hospitality and bartending course Miss Rakei's tutor arranged for her to do work experience at Sizzler Restaurant. She has now been there for eight years and is a duty manager.

Miss Rakei said most of her peers at Arahia got a job "straight away".

Her boss, general manager Ross Smyth, hires staff from Arahia every year and said it would not be good for the industry if Arahia closed.

"At the end of the day they [Arahia] are trying to give these young guys a head-start in hospitality. They have to start somewhere and it gives them the basics to achieve."

Mr Smyth believes students who have graduated from Arahia are a step ahead of everybody else that have come off other courses in Rotorua. David Kidd, general manager of Quality Hotel Rotorua, said there was a severe shortage of skilled hospitality workers and it was difficult to find experienced staff.

"It's the nature of the [hospitality] business and it will affect the industry."

Theresa Mutlow, front office manager at Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua, said Rotorua was a huge hospitality town which needed skilled people.

"It's a shame. [Arahia's] where a lot of young people get their skills from," she said.