Passing knowledge down the generations

The Awhiwhenua programme is going from strength to strength with the appointment of a Practical Tutor.

John Carson has the responsibility of teaching on-farm practical skills such as fencing, stock handling, tractor and LUV/ATV training to first year cadets - many of whom arrive with no farming experience at all.

The skills are being taught on a small training block on Te Pā Station where tauira can learn safely with the full support of John and their fellow students.

“It’s like training for the Olympics,” says John. “You learn all the basic steps first and over time you become more confident and proficient. You don’t have to do it fast, but you do have to do it right.”

John grew up in the lower Rangitīkei District and remembers spending his free time working on both his family and neighbouring farms.

“Since I was young I had always wanted to go farming. When I left school an old school farmer took me under his wing,” he says. “He taught me a lot and now I’m the old guy passing on my knowledge to others.”

After years of working and managing farms throughout New Zealand, John also gained experience on a research farm in Ashburton before spending six years teaching agriculture in Tūrangi.

This experience teaching young adults and his ability to ensure practical lessons align with NZQA unit standards made him the perfect fit for the incorporation as their first in-house Practical Tutor.

Above: Practical tutor John Carson and Awhiwhenua cadets Pehira Patena (bottom) and Ahungarangi Poutini (top).

John has made huge strides in his role since joining the team due to his positive coaching style, according to Natasha Poloai, People and Safety Manager at Ātihau-Whanganui Inc.

“John finds ways to connect with our tauira in a meaningful and practical way with the aim of building their capability and confidence to set them up for the future,” says Natasha. “His values are ones we share, and we feel very privileged to have him with us.”

“Our current first year students are quiet achievers. By giving them the space to learn their confidence has grown, enabling them to contribute practically on the farm in preparation for the second year of their cadetship.”

Cadets reside at Awhiwhenua for their first year under the benevolent care of Olive Hawira, the programme’s Kaiawhi. A typical week will consist of four days learning on Te Pā Station and one day a week at Ngā Mōkai marae in the classroom, working towards the completion of level 3 Certificate in Agriculture with Derek Priest, Theory Tutor from Land-Based Training.

Successfully completing the year means students move to one of the incorporation’s stations for the second year of their studies. This provides tauira with the opportunity to continue to learn whilst contributing to working life on farm alongside experienced kaimahi.

“The Awhiwhenua cadetship is seen as a unique offering and one that we are very proud of. It is our collective hope all our graduates will go on to do great things, before one day returning to us,” says Natasha.

“The programme doesn’t just teach them how to be good farmers; it helps forge a meaningful connection to the whenua and our values.”