Celebrating Success: Latu Unga’s Journey with Puatala

We’re proud to celebrate the journey of Latu Unga, who recently reached a significant 12-month milestone in his career with Downer. A former student of Otahuhu College, Latu joined Puatala’s Impact Programme after completing Year 13.

From the beginning, Latu stood out for his strong work ethic, respect for others, and genuine desire to learn and progress in his career. These qualities have been central to his development as he transitioned from school into the workforce.

Recently, Puatala supported Latu through a mix of one-on-one and group development sessions focused on personal and professional growth. As part of this support, Latu completed a defensive driving course, enabling him to gain his Full Driver Licence — an important milestone in expanding his career opportunities.

With his licence secured, Latu is now excited to move beyond manual labour and begin developing skills in operating machinery and vehicles. This next step reflects his ambition, commitment, and readiness to take on new challenges within his role.

Latu’s journey reflects the core values of Puatala — empowerment, opportunity, and resilience. We’re confident he will continue to grow and succeed, and we’re proud to walk alongside him as he builds his future.

As we look ahead, Latu’s story is a reminder of what’s possible when determination is matched with the right support. We celebrate his achievements and look forward to seeing where his journey leads next.