News

The New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Level 3 is coming to Te Kuiti, with a bonus win for whanau and local foodbanks - it will be taught at Maniapoto Maara Kai. Land Based Training's regional operations manager Linda Weterman said the concept of training in Waitomo is a student-driven initiative. Eight apiculture students who are graduating now wanted to go on and do horticulture training in their hometown "because they were keen to do it at Te Kuiti's Maara Kai, to build Maniapoto's food source and enrich the community" Linda said. "It's a fabulous initiative - students each have nine [...]

Having the skills necessary to not just cope but, to thrive in the workplace is something that is aspirational for many employees within the New Zealand workplace. Land Based Training partners with employers who want to make that aspiration a reality and embed it into the fabric of their organisation – we work together to change expectations. Let’s look at the aspiration financially - the difference between coping or thriving by building literacy and numeracy within the workplace is estimated at 2% of New Zealand’s GDP – that means in the year ending September 2021, thriving equals an increase of [...]

On the 13 November 2021 exhibitors and competitors both local and regional made their way to the annual Bulls Rose and Flower Show. This show is the oldest running show in New Zealand with this year being the 144th show - the Bulls community is very proud of the history this event brings to their town. This year was a particularly special one for Emerita Harris who is one of our Level 3 Horticulture students from our Marton campus. A modest and popular student Emerita entered into the Bulls Rose and Flower show, taking the opportunity to display her love [...]

We welcomed our first Manawatu Land Based Training Field day on the 21st of October! This was a great opportunity for potential and current students to be able to get a taste for all the different courses being showcased. With demonstrations of Shearing and Mustering Sheep, our team with course-related activities and giveaways, and City Honda showcasing their Farming Vehicles in support of us there was lots to see and do. So many options were being showcased we hope that this has enticed people and furthered their education in pursuit of a career in the rural sector. "The day was [...]

Otiwhiti Station welcomed 150 potential farm trainees and their families to their open day which was held on Saturday 5th June 2021. With only 16 cadets taken annually this is a very exclusive opportunity for some. Feedback on the open day was very positive, with a couple saying “My son George and I were very impressed with the course content, facilities, staff and particularly the calibre of the cadet guides. George is only year 11 now but will be applying next year to start at Otiwhiti in 2023” and another saying “Thank you so much for a great insight into [...]

Land Based Training Horticulture Level 3 trainees and their Tutor Merryn Broderson visited Awawhiti Cress’s watercress operation on Tuesday this week to get some hands on experience harvesting. Awawhiti Cress operates at Kakahi and has been supplying watercress around the North Island for 16 years.  Thanks to Carey and Ernie Wenn and their team, the trainees had the opportunity to learn how to harvest the watercress, gain an understanding of hydroponic growing systems and learn the importance of postharvest horticulture and what can be done with some ‘kiwi ingenuity’.

On Tuesday 31 March 2021 Land Based Trainings Horticulture Trainees were involved with the planting of over 400 native trees and shrubs at the re-vamped Fanthorpe’s Gateway to the Taumarunui Domain. The community development project was landscaped by local Landscaper Elle Anderson (Living on the Hedge Landscaping Solutions).  The trainees worked alongside Ruapehu District Council Staff and other volunteers to get the plants planted along the new walk-way to the skatepark and playground.  It was a great experience for the class mapping out the placement of plants off the plans the week prior and them getting them dug into the [...]