Those on the polytechnic's youth guarantee scheme, which offers free study to early school-leavers without jobs, talked to Murphy about his career, automotive engineering and the karts they were building to race in the South Island Grass Kart Challenge in Twizel in September.
Murphy, who had a kart-racing background, was interested in the various ways students had designed and built their karts.
Steering was a key component in a kart's success, as well as frame structure, he said.
Murphy also spoke to pre-trade students about road and driving safety. He later left for Southland, where he was scheduled to give a road safety presentation at Menzies College in Wyndham.
A Motor Trade Association partner, Murphy tours schools throughout the country with the association's support to spread the road safety message to young and future drivers.
He supports an increased driving age, lower blood-alcohol levels for young drivers, and compulsory defensive driving courses.
