‘‘I was doing simple things for them like changing wiper blades ... they were too scared to go to the gas station and pump up their own tyres.
‘‘After a bit of talk from those friends, I started rolling some ideas together and came up with these workshops,’’ she said.
Ms Hannan’s nationwide tour of mechanics’ workshops, Girls’N’Gasoline, covers the ‘‘basics under the bonnet’’ as well as how to change wiper blades and light bulbs, jump-start and jack-up a vehicle, as well as checking tyre pressures and replacing a punctured tyre.
She has held 45 workshops across the country over two years, with the empowerment experienced by the clients feeding her own sense of empowerment.
‘‘Even going into a workshop or an auto parts store is intimidating if you have no idea what you’re looking at.
‘‘It’s more than just being empowered about their vehicle, it’s giving that confidence to talk to a mechanic or go in and get some oil for their vehicle,’’ she said.
Ms Hannan’s interest in mechanics began in high school where she enjoyed building and being creative rather than traditional academic subjects.
Her father knew of a mechanic who offered her work experience one day a week, before she began an apprenticeship once leaving high school.
‘‘I got hooked and the rest is history. I’ve been doing it ever since and really enjoying it,’’ she said.
Ms Hannan is in Wānaka and Cromwell this month.
