'New era' for NZ Young Farmers in South Taranaki

New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Terry Copeland (left), South Taranaki Young Farmers chairperson Amelia Nichol and South Taranaki Young Farmers vice-chairperson Sam Ebbett. Photo / Supplied

More than 70 people have packed the launch of Taranaki's newest NZ Young Farmers club.

An event to celebrate the start of South Taranaki Young Farmers was held at Fonterra's Hawera offices on Friday night.

"It's awesome to be here for the beginning of a new era," said the chief executive of NZ Young Farmers Terry Copeland.

The club will provide a social outlet for young people from Patea to Pihama and across to Kaponga.

"I'm stoked with the turnout. People have been signing up all night and we now have about 30 members," said STYF chairperson Amelia Nichol.

One of them is Caprice Bouzaid, who works as a parts specialist at a Hawera motorcycle retailer.

"I'm really looking forward to the networking opportunities being a member will give me," she said.

The official launch party attracted members from the region's Central, Coastal and Inglewood clubs.

It was made possible with the support of Power Farming, Fonterra Farm Source, Silver Fern Farms, Yarrows and Coca-Cola.

"For the first time in a long time, all of Taranaki's NZ Young Farmers clubs are booming," NZYF Taranaki district chairman Matthew Herbert told the crowd.

"We are out there getting involved in our communities, which is being noticed."

"I think the rest of the country could learn from how you support each other and the TeenAg clubs," added Terry Copeland.

Earlier in the day Mr Copeland attended the first inter-club challenge between Taranaki's TeenAg clubs.

Inglewood High School won the senior event, while New Plymouth Girls' High School were named best juniors.

Stratford High School took out the award for best TeenAg club.

About 60 students competed in modules ranging from fencing, through to cooking and motorbike health and safety.

"The aim of each of the 11 modules was to promote all of the different career opportunities in primary industries," said NZYF field officer Megan Bates.

The inter-club challenge is set to become an annual event.