The history of GGINZ

Glass & Glazing Institute of New Zealand history

Throughout the 1990s glass and glazing off-job training was delivered at Weltec Petone.

At the end of 2001 Weltec reviewed the viability of delivering these courses for such small numbers of apprentices and consequently declined the offer of a contract.

At this time the Retailers Association owned a private training establishment operating out of premises in Naenae, Lower Hutt. They agreed to bring training for glass and glazing under their accreditation.

This continued till 2011 when the Window and Glass Association took the institute under its umbrella.

John Christian was appointed as General Manager and from this time the Glass & Glazing Institute of New Zealand enjoyed increased care and attention with regards to improved equipment and resources at Hollands Crescent, Naenae, Lower Hutt.

Although the premises were generally not fit for purpose, it meant the GGINZ was able to build its funds to make the necessary move. New premises were found in 2020 in Plimmerton, Porirua.

The refurbishment was completed in less than two months. New furniture and equipment were purchased and futuristic machines and technology were in place ready for the opening in March 2020 a week before New Zealand went into the first Covid lockdown.

It is with pride we welcome industry people and apprentices to our centre of excellence.

Apprentices are introduced to technical training such as working with a Smart Lift as part of the handling glass achievement standard and the Proliner for templating (balustrades, splashbacks) outcomes in their stage three course. Apprentices learn to make templates manually at stage one.

Become a GGINZ sponsor

It is with gratitude that the GGINZ thanks the companies who have sponsored our Institution. For everything you have done and still do, we are thankful. We are proud of our educational facility and culture of our centre of excellence that has been supported by our sponsors.