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Grant recognises former Awhiwhenua cadet’s future potential
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Rangatahi Ezekiel Anderson is one to watch as he works towards his aspiration to run his own farm one day.
And his dedication and commitment have been recognised by his kaiwhakaako and mentors with a scholarship award from the Te Āti Hau Trust.
Ezekiel applied for the Awhiwhenua cadet training programme after getting a taste of what the farming life had to offer through a work experience placement, while attending Whanganui City College. Ezekiel says he knew straightaway that his future was working out on the land.
“I’m not an inside person at all,” he says. “I’ve always loved being outdoors, out in nature and the bush. So when I was offered a cadetship at Ahuwhenua I was made up. I enjoyed every minute of the apprenticeship.”
His potential was apparent very early on, and once he completed his cadetship with flying colours, he was offered a job as a shepherd by the Incorporation. He now has the responsibility of caring for 25,000 lambs at Ohotu Station, where they are sent to be finished for market after weaning.
He continued to impress with his focus and ability, and so was recommended for the agriculture scholarship worth $3,000.
“Ezekiel is an impressive young man and we wanted to help him continue his journey with us as he continues to learn and grow as a shepherd,” says Shar Amner, chair of the Te Āti Hau Trust. “This scholarship is one that is awarded purely on merit - there is no application process – which is an indication of how highly Ezekiel is regarded by those he works with.”
The scholarship was created a few years ago as a way of being able to encourage kaimahi to continue to learn and develop with a view of becoming a farm manager for the Incorporation one day.
“Ultimately, we would like to see our own people working our whenua for the benefit of future generations,” says Shar. “As a Trust, we support many different pathways our people follow to reach their aspirations and this award to Ezekiel is an example of that.
“Although the majority of our scholarships and grants do go towards educational achievement, we are keen for those who are taking a different route to success to know that we could offer them support, too.”
Ezekiel is proud to have been recognised for his hard work and say he wants to continue to gain more experience working on Incorporation stations.
“I would like to be a Head Shepherd one day, “ he muses. “But for now I’m going to keep on enjoying what I do and learning everything I can.”
