A group of senior automotive students at Hauraki Plains College has dedicated themselves to building a special project in the hope it will be ready by the time the Whangamatā Beach Hop rocks around on March 26.
Eighteen-year-old automotive student Abigail Cammell told The Profile she first took on the automotive subject in 2023, as a year 12 student because she wanted to take a practical class.
She enjoyed the subject so decided to stay with it for another year in 2024 as a year 13 student, she said.
Abigail and classmates Floyd Morbey, Caden Banks, William Higgins and Marcus Mills, who were supported by their teacher, Mr Kyle Backhouse, were tasked with building a beach buggy known as The Bug, which arrived to their class in parts.
Although Abigail didn’t get to paint The Bug, she said she was able to learn the technique of how to paint a car with a spray gun applying primer.
Another important lesson was the amount of preparation work that needed to be done so the car looked good when the final colour was applied.
“I gained good practical skills in general car maintenance.”
The automotive students still have enough time in the tank to get the wheels turning and tune up The Bug so they can fulfil their dream of making it to the Whangamatā Beach Hop.
When Abigail graduated from Hauraki Plains College at the end of last year, the body of The Bug was painted and the motor was working, she said.
But there was still a bit of work left to do such as attaching the body to the chassis, installing the brakes, clutch, accelerator, lights, and also attaching the roll cage, she said.
But Abigail wasn’t just an automotive enthusiast.
She was also the recipient of the Good Citizenship Award at her senior prizegiving on October 31.
“I have got to be honest I wasn’t expecting the good citizenship award but it was nice to be recognised for it,” she said.
Abigail was currently taking a gap year in 2025, and planned to do seasonal work around New Zealand with the hope to “find out what I want to do”, she said.
Abigail’s advice for students who are interested in automotive studies is to see for themselves.
“Just have a go at everything that is on offer in that class,” she said.
