Nigel Alexander shows Mosston School pupils the lambs being drenched on his sheep and beef farm in Waverley.
Nigel Alexander shows Mosston School pupils the lambs being drenched on his sheep and beef farm in Waverley.
A group of 180 enthusiastic pupils from Mosston School, on the outskirts of Whanganui, recently embarked on an educational excursion to two rural properties in South Taranaki.
The visit aimed to deepen their understanding of New Zealand’s agricultural sector through immersive, hands-on experiences.
The itinerary included visits to farmsin Alton, between Hāwera and Pātea, and Waverley, known mostly as the birthplace of Melbourne Cup-winning racehorse Kiwi.
The younger pupils explored a sheep and beef farm operated by the Alexander family in Waverley, where they were introduced to the sights, sounds and smells of farm life.
Deputy principal Diane Alexander said, “The first thing they commented on was the farm smells, animals and manure.
A highlight was the reconstructed pā on the property.
There, they learned about land regeneration and viewed the native nursery, where seedlings were cultivated for replanting on the Ropers’ farm.
Alton dairy farmer Damian Roper welcomes Mosston School's senior children to his pā. Behind is the seedling gardens where he is raising native plants for his farm.
They also explored the farm’s reconstructed dam pontoon and lake.
Although the cows were out grazing, the children gained insight into the workings of a rotary milking shed.
The Ropers generously shared their farming knowledge, and as Damian said, “the children just soaked it all in like a sponge”.
At Nigel Alexander's farm, the children patted calves waiting to be drenched.
“At first I thought 180 children would be a lot to keep entertained, but the pupils were a dream, a real credit to their parents and teachers.”
The children were captivated by an insightful presentation from Jess, of the Taranaki Kiwi Trust, which explored the critical role of predator control in protecting native species.
A taxidermy display of common predators, which was part of the pā visit, was a highlight for the students.
Jess was joined by Donovan, of the Pātea River Catchment Group, whose collaborative efforts aim to reintroduce kiwi to the region.
A standout feature of the session was a taxidermy display highlighting common predators, which sparked lively discussion and deepened the children’s understanding of the threats facing native wildlife.
The presentation offered a compelling blend of education and conservation advocacy, leaving a lasting impression on its young audience.
Junior children looking at the vegetables and native seedlings in the pā.
Diane Alexander explained that the farm visits were part of the FarmerTime initiative.
“The excursion marked the culmination of the school’s participation in FarmerTime, a programme that connects classrooms with farmers through regular video calls, enabling students to learn about various farming practices, including livestock, poultry, and crop production.”
Senior pupils check out the reconstructed dam pontoon on Jane and Damian Roper's dairy farm in Alton.
The Ropers generously gifted a selection of native plants to Mosston School for future planting initiatives.
In a gesture of appreciation, the school presented the Ropers with handcrafted pottery by renowned local artist Ivan Vostinar.
The trip, dubbed “The Big Day Out”, began at 8.30am and ended at 4.30pm with a refreshing swim and late lunch in Hāwera.
The return journey was notably quiet, with tired but fulfilled students reflecting on their rural adventure.
