The success of 103 students was celebrated at the ceremony and graduates were recognised from courses including general farm skills, dairy, sheep and beef, equine, agriculture, and agribusiness management.
More than 30 prizes, cups, trophies and shields were given out with a clean sweep of top awards going to Marcus Elliot, 19, from Wanganui, who was named best overall student and Taratahi Cup winner, the Bank of New Zealand Cup for top sheep student, and the Bill Morrison Memorial Cup for winning the shearing competition.
Mr Elliot, who was proud to have his family at the graduation, said he was heading to Lone Star Farms in Otago, to start work on a 5000ha station as a junior shepherd while also continuing higher agricultural studies.
Mr Nelson told the gathering change was at the core of the graduation experience and at "the heart of the man" who founded Taratahi.
"Sir William Perry was a man who recognised change and strove to do something about it. He saw something that could be done for the young men returning from war; he saw the importance of agriculture for a young nation, and he saw the importance of training for careers in that industry."
Mr Donovan reinforced Mr Nelson's sentiments, saying Taratahi is progressive, proud and passionate about empowering students with skills that will enrich their careers and the industry.
He thanked staff and faculty at Taratahi for their commitment and the wider community "for their support and contributions" and sponsorship of the graduation prizes.
"I would particularly like to thank the farming community that give our students access to their farms," he said.
"Our focus is on academic, social and attitudinal elements and this combination of practical application and commercial activities gives our graduates an edge. Farmers tell us they've seen the value added by you working hard every day to develop skills and attitudes. They value your stamina, resilience and work ethic and the more you display those traits, the better you will do."
Mr Maharey said there was a long-standing relationship between Massey University and Taratahi, and he told the graduates agriculture was "even cooler" than the New Zealand entertainment industry.
"I was thinking about you when I was watching the music awards and someone like Lorde, who is 17 and earning $18 million a year, and bands like the Broods, from Nelson, who have broken worldwide. But let me tell you, you're part of an even cooler industry than that.
"Lorde will not produce the same kind of income you will produce. You are going to be involved in contributing about 60 per cent of the income this country earns in the future. Now that's cool."
