More on offer to Awhiwhenua recruits

The Awhiwhenua cadetship scheme is broadening its scope in order to offer more to young Māori who aspire to working on the whenua.

An internal review of the programme identified several areas where Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation could provide more learning experiences and so make the residential education course more attractive to potential students.

“Awhiwhenua started at Te Pā Station more than six years ago now, so the time was right to carry out a review and make sure our offering was fit for purpose,” explains Whetu Moataane, AWHI Tikanga and Brand Manager.

“Industry expectations have changed slightly, and we have seen huge growth in certain areas, such as apiary. Previously, the programme offered just sheep and beef, but we are now going to add dairy and beekeeping to the mix so participants gain more from their learning.”

The course, which earns cadets a Level 3 New Zealand National Vocational Certificate in Agriculture, will also see more emphasis put on the practical side of farming.

“Although theory is important, of course, we have found that the students need more exposure to the practical skills any farm worker needs,” explains Siwan Shaw, AWHI Business Manager. “Brendon Craw, a shepherd at Te Pā, will also be the in-house practical tutor. Brendon brings real knowledge of the course kaupapa, being a cadet on a training farm himself previously.

Above: Jim Doolan (Te Pā farm manager) and Brendan Craw (practical tutor) offer real knowledge of farming practices. Cadet Ben Waiwai drenching sheep.

“We are also pleased that Jim Doolan, who has been the farm manager at Te Pā for nearly a year now, is very positive about the programme and keen to add value wherever he can.”

There are also plans to extend the course to three years, and potentially offer apprenticeships instead of cadetships.

“Feedback we received from former cadets told us that two years wasn’t quite long enough to cover all the subjects needed for the qualification in depth,” says Whetu. “Offering apprenticeships means that we would be able to pay young people and get them on the career ladder sooner.

The pastoral side of the ĀtihauWhanganui Inc offering will not change as it is an essential part of the tikanga of the programme.

“Teaching these young people essential life skills, such as cooking, washing clothes, keeping yourself and your surroundings clean and tidy, is as important to us and our values as the farming side of things,” says Whetu. “So that part of Awhiwhenua will remain the same.”

Above: Whaea Olive teaches cadets the essential life skills of cooking, cleaning, and caring for themselves and their surroundings.

The review also found that declining numbers of cadets could be attributed to the lack of recruitment, something Whetu and Siwan are looking to address.

“Previously we have relied on word of mouth through our shareholders and their whānau to identify young people who might benefit from the programme,” says Whetu. “But this approach has not always resulted in cadets who have a real passion for farming so we are looking at changing the criteria a little to make it more purposeful.”

“We will, of course, be prioritising uri when it comes to allocating spaces, but we may open the application process up to other Māori too.”

“The review has been a valuable piece of work that means we will continue to be able to run Awhiwhenua in accordance with the tikanga that have been there right from the beginning.”