From sand dunes to steep hills

The rolling hills of Raetihi are a far cry from the sandy beaches of Ōpōtiki, but Awhiwhenua Year Two tauira Tyla Whitewood is enjoying all parts of her new rural life.

Even though Tyla did not grow up on a farm, she was introduced to the industry through school holiday work on a sheep and cattle station in Kutarere, west of Ōpōtiki. Her love of animals, plus an appetite to see other parts of the country, saw her apply and be accepted onto the Awhiwhenua cadet course in 2018.

After acclimatising to both the weather and her immediate independence, she has excelled in her work.

“I’m used to the cold now,” laughs Tyla. “It was a hell of a shock going from beaches and sun to cold and mountains.”

In the first year of her cadetship she completed the Level 3 Certificate in Agriculture course with ease and has impressed those working with her.

Derek Priest, Awhiwhenua’s Theory Tutor from Land Based Training, refers to Tyla as a model student.

Above: Derek Priest and Tyla work on some farming theory.

“She’s a good role model. She leads by example and doesn’t shy away from anything.”

John Carson, Awhiwhenua’s Practical Tutor, agrees saying she’s a switched-on young woman and will do well in anything she wants to do.

Tyla’s second-year placement on farm has seen her join Tawanui Station as a Shepherd, where she continues to develop her skills and her confidence has gone from strength to strength. She is enjoying learning under the guidance of Steve Tapa and the team from Tawanui.

“I’m lucky to be surrounded by the right staff and good people who look out for each other,” she says.

Learning to be self-sufficient has been good for Tyla who lives in new purpose-built tauira quarters. She admits being homesick when she first arrived but she now enjoys her independence. The pastoral care provided by Awhiwhenua in her first year has provided her with another level of skills she can use in the future.

Natasha Poloai, Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporated People and Safety Manager, says Tyla has excelled under the maanaki of Steve Tapa and his team at Tawanui.

Now at 20-years-old, Tyla is thinking to the future and still sees herself working in the agriculture industry, but not necessarily as a shepherd.

“I’m thinking of going to University and doing an Ag Science degree. I’m interested in agronomy which is soil and plant science,” she says. “I’ve had a good chat with the people who do what I want to do. They say my cadetship will help me with the practical side of farming, something they say they missed going straight to uni.”

Natasha Poloai has continued to support Tyla in this journey and is pleased she still wants to work in the industry.

“We are nurturing this goal with her. This cadetship has helped inform what she wants to do and we’re excited for her future.”