Focus on Maori students at Taratahi

AGRICULTURE OPPORTUNITIES: Taine Randall, Kahungunu Agribusiness conference facilitator and former All Black, Taratahi students Cedric Julian and Mana Hohepa, Ngahiwi Tomoana, Ngati Kahungunu Iwi chairman, Taratahi student Hemoata Kopa, Simon Bailey, Taratahi first year programme manager, Paul Crick, Taratahi sheep and beef manager, and Ben Matthews, Taratahi Maori Agribusiness co-ordinator.PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre schemes involving Maori students won acclaim at the second annual Kahungunu Agribusiness conference.

The inaugural Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated conference ran last year and "was a great success for everyone involved", Taratahi Maori agribusiness co-ordinator Ben Matthews said.

He said the purpose of the conference in Dannevirke late last month was to bring together farmers, businesses, schools, training providers, government agencies and marae to connect, celebrate and explore opportunities within Kahungunu's agribusiness community.

The conference this year was supported by the Kahungunu Asset Holding Co, Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Mr Matthews and Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre sheep and beef manager Paul Crick delivered presentations to the conference and underscored the importance of improving the perception of the agricultural industry.

The pair also updated conference participants on Taratahi initiatives involving Maori students, including marae-based agricultural training programmes and agricultural training programmes with Maori schools.

Mr Matthews said: "Taratahi has a close collaborative relationship with Ngati Kahungunu and we saw this opportunity to contribute to the conference as a way to further strengthen this relationship. We think it is important to share information about what is happening in the Maori agribusiness scene, and that is exactly what this conference has been able to do."

Taratahi students Mana Hohepa, of Ngai Tumapuhia a Rangi, Cedric Julian, of Ngati Awa, and Hemoata Kopa, of Ngati Hine, also attended the conference. "We wanted to introduce some of our Maori students to the leaders in Maori agribusiness, to open their eyes to the opportunities that lie ahead for them," Mr Matthews said.

The students enjoyed the experience, with Mr Hohepa glad to have learned about the latest Kahungunu forays into agriculture.

Mr Julian was also impressed with the day.

"I really enjoyed learning about all the awesome opportunities in Maori agribusiness."