New Zealand Apples & Pears launch education partnership with Havelock North Schools

New Zealand Apples & Pears capability manager Erin Simpson with school students. Photo / Supplied

Havelock North schools are joining forces with their region's booming apple and pear industry to help plant the seed of horticulture with their students.

Students will get to learn about growing and exporting the best apples and pears for the world, along with having the support of a wide range of industry experts to help the schools develop new learning resources.

To mark the new partnership, New Zealand Apples & Pears representatives, along with students and principals are planting apple trees at Lucknow, Te Mata, Haumoana and Havelock North primary schools along with Havelock North Intermediate and Havelock North High Schools.

Havelock North Intermediate principal Julia Beaumont said schools are interested in delivering meaningful ways for students to learn and had identified that an increased emphasis on science (skills, knowledge and vocabulary) is important.

"All schools are looking forward to working together and sharing knowledge. Through this partnership we aim to provide an authentic learning environment with the opportunity for real problem-solving right in our own backyard.

"Horticulture with all its different branches, fits well within our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) approach where we are integrating a range of subjects with real life experience."

New Zealand Apples & Pears capability development manager Erin Simpson said:

"Research tells us that by tapping into growing young minds and their interests at a younger age, students are more likely to consider careers in horticulture. This partnership is a way to sow the seed of horticulture with our future generation, which we hope will see more of them entering our industry."

The education partnership has two stages. The first will focus on resources with a specific theme for each school to pilot and the next will be seeing how these resources can be applied across other schools either within Hawke's Bay or nationally.

The schools will be provided with access to a range of expertise across the industry including scientists, technology developers, equipment manufacturers, growers and exporters.