Mike Stayte, Thomas Wrightson and Centre Place centre manager Maureen Pearce
Thomas Wrightson, loves lifts and lift engineering.
Experienced Otis Lift technician Mike Stayte gives Thomas Wrightson his 30-year service pin.
The Centre Place team in Hamilton heard about this and invited the nine-year-old Pekapekarau School student to him to take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new staff lift last week.
It was followed by a behind-the-scenes tour with Otis Lift technician Mike Stayte who has worked on Centre Place vertical transport for 40 years.
With his tablet in tow, Thomas was thrilled to film the whole experience.
“He just loves lifts, escalators and anything like that – he knows all the brands. I don’t know what it is,” mum Sarah Wrightson said. “He’s fascinated by the mechanics and how the doors open by themselves.
“He’s autistic and has developmental delays. He’s been following a couple of YouTubers overseas who are also on the spectrum and share a similar interest in lifts.”
Mike Stayte shared his lift knowledge with Thomas Wrightson.
The Wrightson family moved to Kihikihi in the summer of 2021-2022.
“We spend most of our weekends at the mall or wherever there are lifts. The Centre Place team and security guards know us well,” Sarah said. “We moved up here from Wellington. He was interested in lifts then and the interest has got stronger each year.
“If we travel to Wellington to visit my family or Auckland to visit my husband Craig’s family, Thomas will always plan a city trip.
“Thomas informed me that Te Awamutu has four lifts. There are lifts, but not many, so he would definitely love to live in a city one day.”
Sarah was humbled that the Centre Place management thought of Thomas.
Thomas Wrightson videoed his full lift opening experience.
“Centre Place manager Maureen Pearce and the team went to a great deal of effort,” Sarah said.
“They got him a certificate, a little hardhat, a high-vis and a lanyard so he really looked the part. Then they gave us an afternoon tea. It was so nice.
“I asked Mike how he got started in the industry. He started off as an apprentice. He talked about electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.
“Thomas is only 9, but if this continues, he could be a lift technician in the making.
“We were very moved when Mike gifted Thomas his 30-year Otis pin badge. Thomas is pretty excited and we will make sure to take good care of it.”
“It was a really memorable afternoon for him. We’re very grateful to the Centre Place team and Mike for taking the time to make it so special.”
Maureen Pearce said they were thrilled to host the Wrightson family, knowing of Thomas’ love for all things lifts.
“Thomas is a part of our community and he is a familiar sight to our in-centre teams who see him riding the lifts with his parents. He even named our old lift “Old Jolty”,” Maureen said.
Mike Stayte, Thomas Wrightson and Centre Place centre manager Maureen Pearce at the staff lift opening ceremony.
