Marae training scheme hailed

RICH HARVEST: The first graduates, comprising 10 Kuranui College students, from the inaugural agricultural training scheme that partnered the school, Papawai Marae and the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre. PHOTO SUPPLIED

A ground-breaking marae training scheme - believed to be unique in New Zealand - has yielded its first crop of graduates amid calls for other marae to run similar programmes.

Yvonne Way, Taratahi marketing and communications manager, said Kuranui College, Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre and Papawai Marae had come together for the trailblazing scheme and a group of 10 graduates from the programme was honoured at a ceremony held at the marae, near Greytown.

She said the graduates launched the ceremony with a heartfelt haka - taught to them as part of the scheme - which they performed during a powhiri to welcome their friends and families.

The graduates again impressed supporters by each delivering their pepeha, she said, which is a customary introduction of oneself using traditional links to the land.

The centre partnered with Papawai Marae and Kuranui College to deliver the 14-week Ringa Raupa, Ringa Ahuwhenua (Industrious Hands, Agricultural Hands) scheme for college students on farmland adjoining the marae from June this year.

The National Certificate in Agriculture General Skills Level 2 programme stressed Maori links to the land and "the idea of using our hands and hard work to create success" and included a blend of agricultural skills and Maori cultural components such as whaikorero (oratory), pepeha (links to the land) and waiata (song). Modules included the safe use of motorcycles and quad bikes, fencing, agrichemicals, and livestock.

Achievement awards were handed to each of the scheme trainees during the graduation ceremony, Ms Way said, with the Papawai Marae Maori Cultural Excellence Award presented to Logan Jackson for his efforts in learning and applying the tikanga Maori components during the programme.

The Most Improved Student award was presented to Zayne Liddington and Logan Jackson took the Top Student award, Ms Way said.

Papawai Marae committee representative Kristina Perry said the programme had been undeniably successful and the shift from a classroom setting to the marae and farm seemed to have greatly improved learning outcomes for trainees.

"Some of these students previously struggled in the classroom environment but once you put them into the marae or on-farm and change the learning environment the difference is remarkable. They really responded to this different style of learning. Educational institutes need to recognise that sometimes the classroom is not the right environment for students."

Ms Perry said Papawai Marae committee members had unanimously endorsed the scheme and had urged other marae, particularly in Wairarapa, to run similar programmes.

"We'd absolutely support other marae in the area if they were interested in doing a similar programme, we could guide and support them and share our learnings of the first year. It's good for our young Maori, the marae, the community and the future of farming, it's well worth it."

Korongata Marae in Bridge Pa, Hastings, had been second after Papawai Marae to this year partner with Taratahi for a similar scheme, which formed part of the Primary Industries Trades Academy (PITA) training programme funded by the Ministry of Education to give students "real training on real farms".

"We're very open to having conversations around partnerships."