Awhiwhenua for the future

A review will soon be underway to ensure the Awhiwhenua cadetship programme is effective, meets its strategic purpose, and is fit for the future.

The programme consists of a three-year apprenticeship in sheep and beef farming, run in partnership with work-based training organisation, Primary ITO.

First-year students are accommodated in the purpose-built whare at Te Pā station, which is not only somewhere to sleep but also a place to learn life skills, and secondand third-year students are placed on Ātihau farms.

Currently there are three year 1 cadets, and one in year 2 (located at Te Paenga) and year 3 (located at Tawanui).

"Regular reviews are important to ensure the programme we are offering is both suitable for the rangatahi who come to learn and aligns with the strategic focus of the organisation," says Whetu Moataane, Manager Culture & Legacy for Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation.

“There is the potential for expanding the programme to offer apprenticeships in apiculture and dairying, as well as taking on more cadets, although we are constrained by the number of second and third placements we can provide at the moment.”

The three-year course aims to set cadets up for success in the agricultural industry. During the first year, 85% of course time is spent out on the whenua getting practical experience under the eye of farm manager Jim Doolan and Wesley Johnstone, with a weekly study group and monthly classes in Taihape. One-on-one sessions with a study co-ordinator make up the balance. At the conclusion of the course, cadets leave with a Level 3 New Zealand National Vocational Certificate in Agriculture.

“It is a comprehensive programme that enables these young people to be confident in their abilities and knowledge when it comes to finding a job once they have graduated,” says Whetu.

“It has also given us some other more wide-reaching outcomes such as enabling rangatahi and their whānau to reconnect with their whakapapa and the whenua.”

Two current cadets are a case in point. Although the two brothers come from the Whanganui awa area, they, along with their family, weren’t aware of their connections to the Ātihau whānau and are now starting on a journey to learn more.

“Reviews are important to ensure that the Awhiwhenua programme continues to deliver benefit to the tauira themselves, the Incorporation, and uri,” says Whetu. “We will provide an update once the review has been completed.”