August 14, 2017
Rangatahi Maori flock to farm training
Ngai Tahu's Whenua Kura Maori and Pacific trades training programme has doubled its intake to for the next year on the Telford campus in south Otago.
The Telford agricultural training operations were recently transferred from Lincoln University to Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre.
Whenua Kura kaihautu Renata Hakiwai says the high demand for the programme showed young Maori and Pasifika were drawn to job opportunities in the primary sector.
The 30 young people who come from all four corners of New Zealand begin their course with three days at the Hokonui Marae in Gore where they are introduced to Ngai Tahu culture and values.
All 16 students who graduated from the last year course found jobs straight away.
Taratahi chief executive Arthur Graves says the partnership with Whenua Kura grows the base of Taratahi’s educational delivery to Maori and Pasifika students at both its Telford and Wairarapa campuses.
Nationally 42 percent of Taratahi's 280 students are Maori.
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