Taratahi problems seen in 2018
The problems at Taratahi were laid open, prior to its interim liquidation in December, in August last year.
Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre this week is hosting 25 Primary Industry Trades Academy (PITA) students at its Wairarapa Campus for a full week of practical skills training.
These aspiring farming students have already developed some skills in livestock handling, fencing and safe farming practices.
Yesterday the group learnt how to safely handle quad-bikes and tractors - core skills for any farm worker – and a much anticipated aspect of the programme.
"Our PITA students learn to value each aspect of the programme and gain a real understanding of how the practical elements, such as fencing and stock-handling, contribute to overall farm management.
"Driving vehicles safely is an essential requirement for most farm workers and a skill our Primary Industry Trades Academy students really look forward to developing," says Jen Butler, Taratahi's Agriculture in Schools manager.
"Yesterday these students learnt about safe vehicle handling and drove both tractors and quad-bikes on a short circuit. We are aiming for them to be competent to drive under supervision in their work experience placements by the end of this week."
Taratahi's Primary Industry Trade's Academy, one of the first seven under the Government's 2010 initiative, has developed a two-year programme combining study towards the National Certificates in Agriculture Level 2 'Introductory Skills' and 'Strands (Dairy or Sheep)' with agricultural experience, life-skills development and careers advice. During the academic year students work in groups and spend one day a week with either a Taratahi tutor or practising farming skills on work experience at a local farm.
Each of PITA's 100 students is expected to complete a week of intensive training at Taratahi's Wairarapa Campus as part of their study programme.
This week students from Wairarapa, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Taranaki regions enjoyed a week of skills-based training.
The PITA programme is also delivered in Wellington, Hutt Valley, Dannevirke, Wanganui and via New Zealand's Correspondence School Te Kura, the programme is set to expand to more regions in 2013.
"Our PITA students tell us how much they enjoy the practical nature of the course and that they appreciate the relevance of the theory components of the curriculum," says Butler "Through the year we have seen our students develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in their new skills. Teachers tell us that this lift in their self-esteem, confidence and social skills has had a knock-on effect in the classroom – students are more motivated to learn all-round."
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.