Meet Mike Matata – Inspiring the Next Generation of Tourism Professionals in Northland

At ITC, we are proud to have passionate industry professionals guiding our students toward exciting careers in tourism, aviation, travel and hospitality. One of those incredible educators is Mike Matata, who delivers our full-time programme in Whangārei and has helped many students pathway into tourism careers, airline roles, internships and even paid overseas exchanges.

With decades of industry experience and a genuine passion for helping young people succeed, Mike brings real-world knowledge and inspiration into the classroom every day.

A Passion for Aviation and Travel from a Young Age

Mike’s love for the tourism and airline industry started early.

“I was very fortunate that my family travelled frequently overseas when I was a kid and decided this was the industry for me, although I wasn’t sure which part at the time because the industry is so large.

The real passion started as a very young teenager, spending many weekends riding my bike out to Auckland International Airport with a friend plane spotting. My love for commercial aircraft and airlines became overwhelming, and that’s when my passion for the airline industry was born. I have never lost that passion.”

A Career Across Airlines, Cruises and Tourism

Mike’s tourism journey began when he studied a Diploma in Travel Management at ATI. While studying, he secured a Managerial Cadetship with Atlantic & Pacific Travel, one of New Zealand’s largest travel wholesalers and agencies at the time.

His dream of working for an international airline soon became reality.

“After three years at A&P, I was employed as a Sales Executive with Thai Airways. It was my dream job — working in sales for a large international airline.”

From there, Mike went on to work with several major international airlines including Virgin Atlantic Pacific, Ansett and America West Airlines before moving into the cruise sector.

“My love for the cruising industry started with Holland America Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Marco Polo Cruises. I’ve also worked across many different parts of the industry including wholesale, retail, inbound tourism and GSA operations.”

Today, Mike brings this wealth of industry experience into the classroom for ITC students in Northland.

Preparing Students for Real Industry Success

Mike believes one of the most important parts of teaching is helping students build confidence, professionalism and practical skills that employers are genuinely looking for.

“With continuous training and experience across different parts of the tourism and travel industry, I feel well qualified to prepare students for the workforce.

I focus heavily on practical skills and interpersonal communication — not just basic customer service, but strategies that help students confidently work with clients, solve problems and communicate professionally.”

Mike also trains students in airline, hotel and cruise reservation systems, travel product knowledge, presentations and one-on-one consultation skills to ensure they are work-ready.

Mike with our Whangarei student at Industry Expo

Watching Northland Students Grow

One of Mike’s favourite parts of teaching is seeing students develop over the year.

“Seeing how much they grow within the first four to six months is incredible. The confidence and knowledge they gain compared to when they first start is amazing.

Another highlight is seeing students offered employment opportunities and internships at the end of the year.”

Sharing a Passion for the Industry

For Mike, teaching is about more than qualifications, it’s about helping students realise they can achieve careers they may never have thought possible.

“I love sharing my knowledge of the industry with the next generation and helping students achieve their dream of being part of such an exciting industry.”

He also believes Northland students bring something truly special to tourism.

“It’s important to teach students how to work professionally while still keeping the warm, hospitable nature that Northland people are known for. That is very special.”

Mike’s Advice for Future Tourism Students

Mike encourages students to see study as an investment in their future.

“One year is minimal in a lifetime of employment. Preparing and learning about the industry before entering it can make a huge difference.

Having advanced knowledge, practical skills and industry experience is invaluable to employers when selecting candidates for jobs.”

Through his passion, experience and dedication, Mike continues to make a lasting impact on students across Northland,  helping them build confidence, gain industry skills and take their first steps toward exciting careers in tourism and aviation.

Learn from experienced tutors like Mike at ITC

Study at ITC, where the entire team has experience in the industry and is excited to share everything they’ve learned with you!

 We’re enrolling now – so register today and kick start your own career in tourism and travel!

Meet Samantha Kingham: The ITC Grad Living the Dream at Disney World!

This ITC graduate is living her dream at Disney World!

For many young people starting out in the travel and tourism industry, the dream is to work at Disney World. Samantha Kingham didn’t just achieve that goal – she took it one step further by landing a coveted position on the Disney Entertainment and Performing team.

We of course had to learn more and share her story. So we chatted to Samantha and learned how what began with the feeling that Year 13 wasn’t for her, ultimately led her to the job of her dreams overseas!

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Meeting Demand, Supporting Northland: A Second Tourism Intake for Whangārei

ITC’s Mel with her Whangarei Academy

The strength of any industry lies in its people — and right now, New Zealand’s tourism and aviation sectors are thriving. With that growth comes opportunity, optimism, and an urgent need for skilled, job-ready professionals who are ready to step into exciting careers.

At the International Travel College (ITC) Whangārei Campus, we’re proud to share some exciting news: a second full-time Tourism intake will launch in July 2026, following overwhelming demand for our February start, which filled earlier than expected.

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Teacher personal development day with Disney recruiters at ITC a magical success

Ray from Disney takes a selfie with the attendees at our recent Personal Development Day.

ITC is dedicated to supporting education in New Zealand, with a particular focus on travel and tourism for students. That said, we know that Aotearoa’s teachers are absolutely vital for the education of the next generation – which is why we also provide free personal development days for teachers on occasion as well!

Recently, we became the first education provider to offer a free personal development day with Disney Recruiters presenting.

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ITC goes behind the scenes at the new Disney housing complex!

Flamingo Crossings Village comes complete with pools, basketball courts, and so much more.

One of the many exciting possibilities for ITC graduates is heading overseas on an International Exchange Program. Of course, the Disney Exchange Program is one of the most popular!

This program is only available to preferred providers like ITC, so many of our students are driven enough to get positions in this world-famous tourism attraction.

One important aspect of heading to Disney to live and work is the actual housing complex our graduates stay in. And lucky for us, we’ve got someone behind the scenes who has recently been part of planning a new housing complex, and who has had the chance to check it out in person!

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Meet Mya: The ITC student living out her dreams at Disney!

Mya at Disney!

In October last year, we interviewed a student with her sights set on the Disney Cultural Exchange Program. At the time, Mya Jorna was finishing up an ITC course and hoping to be accepted into the program.

The Bream Bay College graduate attended an Adventure Short Course through school at ITC, where she learnt about the amazing opportunity to study tourism in Northland and wanted to one day work for Disney in Orlando Florida. Mya worked hard to graduate with her tourism and travel qualifications and with the support from ITC, applied for her place at Disney in January 2024.

And now, she’s living out that dream!

We couldn’t wait to hear about her adventures and how it’s all going, so here’s a little more about the program and her time at Disney.

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Head to an ITC Free Event these school holidays and make plans for next year!

Attend a FREE event these school holidays to learn about international exchange programs and aviation careers available with ITC.

Not sure what your plans are for next year? Want to work in a career that could help you meet amazing people, work in amazing places, or even travel the world?

The International Travel College of New Zealand could be a great fit for you and your future – and we’re about to host Free Events this school holidays to help you decide.

Our exciting Free Events invite you (and any friends or family you’d like to bring along) to visit an ITC campus and see what it’s like to be an ITC student.

With two different themes and two campuses to choose from, you won’t want to miss these events.  Better yet, they are absolutely FREE!

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Frederick Corbett: The ITC graduate who just left for the Disney Exchange Program!

ITC graduate Freddie Corbett has recently left NZ to start his Disney Exchange Program.

It’s been an exciting year as we have caught up with a number of ITC graduates who went through the Disney Exchange Program. Now, things are about to get even more exciting as we cheer on the students who have been accepted into this year’s August intake.  

We’ve already spoken to Bea Terreblanche, who has already left NZ on her grand Disney adventure. Now we’re excited to announce that her fellow ITC graduate Frederick Corbett has also ventured off to Disney.

Of course, we had to catch up with him to see how he’s feeling about the program! (more…)

Meet the graduate who used her ITC education and the Disney Exchange as a springboard for her business career!

Emma Morris had an incredible time during her Disney Exchange.

We are once again full steam ahead preparing our graduates with their applications for the next Disney Exchange Program opportunity happening in August this year. 

Our level 4 & 5 graduates are all so excited to meet the Disney representative who will soon visit to discuss this life changing experience.

To celebrate this amazing opportunity we reached out to a number of ITC graduates who were lucky enough to be a part of the Disney Cultural Exchange. We’re calling this project ‘Adventures after Disney’, and will be following up with where the graduates are now, and how they feel that the exchange impacted their lives and careers.

ITC takes pride in supporting and communicating with graduates over the 26+ years we’ve been in business, this is so exciting for us to once more re-visit our students’ adventures. 

To start, we spoke to graduate Emma Morris.

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“The happiest place…”

Cara (left) working at Disneyworld in Florida after completing her course at ITC, with Natasha (right) ITC Campus Manager Botany

Natasha Allen, ITC Campus Manager Botany, recently returned from a trip to the happiest place in the world, where she caught up with ITC graduate Cara Adams.

Natasha says the excitement of the trip started before they had even left New Zealand at the Koru Lounge at Auckland’s International Airport where she, her husband and their two very excited children sampled the complimentary food (and Natasha and her husband the wine) before boarding their flight. (more…)