Bright future for budding farmers

WINNERS: At the Taratahi Primary Industry Trades Academy graduation, Oliver Coe (left) of Masterton, awarded Top Sheep Student, is pictured with Taratahi chief executive Donovan Wearing and James George of Greytown, awarded Top Dairy student. Both will continue their studies in agriculture.PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Family and friends gathered at the Carterton Events Centre earlier this week to watch this year's Taratahi Primary Industries Trades Academy (PITA) graduation.

Carterton School Kapa Haka gave a welcoming performance after which Carterton mayor Ron Mark addressed the crowd of about 50.

"Educating and moulding young New Zealanders so they may take a productive place in New Zealand is something we are very proud of," he said.

"One of the things I'm very, very conscious of is that it is farmers ... who produce the wealth of this nation.

"From Carterton's perspective we should be very grateful that you have chosen the primary sector, farming, as your career choice."

Taratahi chief executive Donovan Wearing said the almost 30 graduating students couldn't have chosen a better career. "This is the wealth of the nation, it's also its mana," Mr Wearing said.

"Everything important starts with a first step; just make sure PITA isn't your last."

James George, from Greytown, won the award for Top Dairy Student and Oliver Coe, from Masterton, won Top Sheep student.

Oliver, 17, said his upbringing on a farm had inspired him to pursue a career in the agricultural industry.

"It's just what I've been brought up around, it's something I'm interested in."

He said he was planning to attend Telford Rural Polytechnic, near Balclutha, next year to continue his studies.

James, 15, a Kuranui College student, said he wanted a career that was outdoors and liked the farming lifestyle.

He said he would be taking up further agricultural study at Taratahi next year.