The new, purpose-built accommodation facility near Ohakune will be home to six cadets during the level three course in livestock farming and farm resource maintenance.
The course was previously run as a non-residential course but would this year give cadets the chance to live and work together while they studied.
They would be guided by a kaiawhi, who would train, coach and mentor students in household tasks.
The household would operate in a manner aligning with tikanga Maori to give students an insight into their culture and heritage.
Cadets would gain practical training at Te Pa station, a sheep and beef unit under the incorporation’s umbrella with the opportunity to work on one of its dairy farms.
They would study with their Land based training tutor at Nga Mokai Marae. The new facility was modelled on Otiwhiti Station, the first residential facility run by Land Based Training.
“At this stage the programme is open to shareholders of Atihau with the potential of opening it up to the public in the future.” Land Based Training operations manager James Towers said.
Construction of the 300 square metre began in October and would be finished in March, in time for the beginning of the 2017 course.
For shareholders the cost as $150 a week for 40 weeks in boarding costs with the course costs covered by the incorporation.
“For us it’s a commitment to our shareholders to provide them a chance to get onto the farm. We don’t see it as a cost but something we want to do,” incorporation chief executive Andrew Beijeman said.
“We created a residential base to fully immerse students in farm life, not just while at work but also off work, to increase the number of hours available to them to train and teach them how to look after themselves outside of work.”
The addition of the residential programme to the suite of other courses offered by the two organisations was hoped to strengthen their commitment to providing young Maori with the chance to enter the agricultural industry and train the next generation of managers and stakeholders.
Applications for the residential based training programme close on February 23. For more information contact Robyn Matthews or go to www.landbasedtraining.co.nz.
