The 18-year-old was now passionate about working on a farm fulltime.
"This is good for Maori so we'd be able to work on our own land and not have to hire overseas workers. I hope to study more certificates and be a 2IC or manager some day.
"Farming money is good, way better than forestry and safer too," Te Aorere said.
Fellow graduate Ngawai Kohiti (Tuhoe) said the programme was a good opportunity to be able to study in Murupara and work with animals.
"Just being outside was really good and going to different farms," she said.
The 18-year-old was one of five girls who graduated and she said they were able to do everything their male counterparts could on the farm.
"We used chainsaws to cut logs, trees and branches. At first I wasn't that confident but you quickly got the hang of it," Ngawai said.
"We also learned how to be disciplined. Farmers have their rules and you need to stick to them."
Taratahi Waikato-Bay of Plenty project manager Annie Waterworth said the graduates worked above and beyond the required course work and seven of the 10 had been employed on farms with others intending to continue studying.
"These guys are totally dedicated. They have done more than what was required of them. They got up early to milk cows and helped out with the afternoon milking. They could have finished at 4pm but they would work through to 6-7 o'clock," she said.
"Taratahi has a really strong belief to train Maori students to get back on to Maori land and that belief really sits well with me that they are trained to go back to iwi or whanau land."
Ms Waterworth said they had great support from local farmers and credited tutor Darrell Hellier for his work.
"Pam Cobb and her husband have a farm at Galatea and literally gave the students the run of the farm and embraced these students," she said.
"They're a whole different student that leaves us than when they first start. We also teach them a lot of life skills such as cooking, how to shake hands and keep eye contact.
"These are the most respectful students and for this group it's about being given a chance to do something and have someone to support them is all that they needed," Ms Waterworth said.
"It's been fantastic moving into an area others would perceive to be challenging and face such a warm community and students that literally go the extra mile. The challenge is now whether the next bunch of students is as good as this."
Introduction to Farming Programme is a fees-free programme and is open to everyone, not just Maori. For more information contact Taratahi - Agricultural Training Centre on 0800 924 3276 or visit the website www.taratahi.ac.nz
