Trades Academy camp showcases career pathways

18 May 2026

Twenty-six students spent a week of their school holidays soaking up farm life and learning about career pathways during the annual Primary ITO Trades Academy camp.

Taking place each April, the camp gives senior secondary school agriculture students in the lower North Island the opportunity to experience a variety of sheep, beef, dairy and deer farming operations – often largescale, along with a deeper understanding of the variety of career pathways in the primary industries. Led by experienced Trades Academy tutors, the schedule offers plenty of scope for learning, connecting and having fun.

All students are taking part in tutor-led advanced agriculture classes at Wairarapa College, Chanel College, Rathkeale College, Tararua  College, Manawatu College, Palmerston North Boys’ High School, and Feilding High School. 

 

Group photo at Otiwhiti School of Agriculture Cadet Farm

The five-day camp kicked off with a visit to the Otiwhiti School of Agriculture cadet farm near Hunterville, where the students got to see what life is like as an Otiwhiti cadet, including dog and horse work, crutching and slaughtering.

Next stop was a visit to a Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Ltd) farm near Taupō, where the students learned about the Pāmu apprenticeship programme – which involves cadets working and gaining experience on farm while studying towards Primary ITO qualifications.

Students got an introduction to the Pāmu apprenticeship programme

The following day the students split into three groups to visit iconic North Island farms: Opepe Station, Lochinver Station, and Rangitaiki Station. The students were introduced to life on each farm and got hands-on with various activities including crutching, dagging, and sorting lambs for transport.

Next up was a tour of the Pan Pac forestry operation near Napier. The students viewed the dry mill and pulp mill and saw the operation in full swing, in a sector of the primary industries that offers its own unique career pathways.

It was then on to Moeangiangi Station, which is opening a new cadetship programme in 2027. This was followed by a visit to Rissington Station, to visit their feed pad and learn about their beef genetics programme.

Moeangiangi Station Introduction

The final day was spent visiting Smedley Station, a commercial agricultural training farm running sheep, cattle and deer in Central Hawke's Bay. The students learned about the Smedley cadetship programme and cadet life, before making the trip home.

David Barwick, head of career and vocational pathways at Palmerston North Boys’ High School, says the camp is incredibly valuable for their agriculture students.

“It provides real-world exposure that can’t be replicated in the classroom. Visiting a wide range of large-scale farming operations, from sheep and beef stations to dairy and forestry gives students a genuine understanding of the scale, diversity, and professionalism of New Zealand’s primary sector.

“Equally important is the opportunity to hear about cadetships, apprenticeships, and career pathways. Meeting industry professionals and current cadets helps students see clear, achievable next steps after school and builds confidence about entering the sector. The hands-on experiences, combined with networking and insight into future opportunities, make this camp a powerful and motivating experience that strengthens our students’ engagement with agriculture and their career aspirations.”

Group photo at Smedley Station

Shane Boderick, Trades Academy team leader, says the camp was a huge success and the students were buzzing from their experiences.

“We are very grateful to everyone involved in organising, hosting, and sharing their time and knowledge with the students. These camps could not happen without the generous support and hospitality from our hosts.”

Huge thanks to PGG Wrightson for their support, and to Charlie Duncan and his team at Otiwhiti Station, James van Bohemen and his team at Rangitaiki Station, David Milne and his team at Opepe Station, Kat Broomfield and her team at Lochinver Station, Gary Brady at Pāmu, Danny Angland and the team at Moeangiangi Station, Mark Kennedy at Pan Pac, Katie and Ben Absolom at Rissington Station, and Greg Crombie and his team at Smedley Station. 

 

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