News | Primary ITO

Growing the next generation of farmers with Primary ITO Trades Academy

10 September 2026

Dannevirke High School students are gaining hands-on farming skills and valuable real-world experience through Primary ITO Trades Academy, leading to employment and cadetship opportunities.

Pork industry celebrates up and coming talent

28 August 2026

Congratulations to Ben Carter and Gary Thomas, joint winners of the 2026 Stockperson of the Year Award, announced at the NZ Pork conference in Christchurch recently.

Q&A with Primary ITO graduate Jacob Sced

19 August 2026

Congratulations to Jacob Sced from Longridge Country Estate in Paeroa, who recently completed his New Zealand Apprenticeship in Landscape Construction (Level 4).

Primary ITO takes next step towards industry-owned future

8 July 2026

An Interim Establishment Board has been appointed to guide the organisation as it establishes an industry-owned Private Training Establishment (PTE).

Signature Plants Lori (left) with Veda and Greta

Growing plants and knowledge with Primary ITO training

2 July 2026

Growing healthy plants for ecological restoration and landscaping projects is all in a day’s work for Signature Plants Ltd. The Auckland-based business are firm believers in the power of education and upskilling staff with training through Primary ITO.

Green-fingered Primary ITO graduate wins horticulture award

22 June 2026

Fresh off a flight from the United States, Primary ITO graduate Meg Spittal took out the title of 2026 Young Amenity Horticulturalist of the Year in May.

First apprentices complete refreshed aquaculture apprenticeship

15 June 2026

Nestled under the Southern Alps in pristine flowing waters, Mt Cook Alpine Salmon produces the highly sought after seafood delicacy for local and international markets, with skilled staff trained through Primary ITO.

Hands-on learning shaping farming futures - Helping tackle New Zealand’s looming rural skills shortage.

5 June 2026

New Zealand’s future farmers, fencers, contractors and rural workers are already learning the ropes not from behind desks, but out in paddocks, yards and woolsheds across Horowhenua and Kāpiti. Photo & Article Credit: Frankie Webb, Horowhenua Chronicle

Top Dairy Trainee credits knowledge boost to award win

3 June 2026

Up and coming dairy farmer Mark Ready, 23, has his eyes firmly set on the future, after taking out the Dairy Trainee of the Year Award at the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua in May.

Qualified arborist supports women in tree care

27 May 2026

With twenty years’ experience in tree care, Primary ITO-qualified arborist Kelly Black runs her own business and co-founded an initiative to support women working in the tree care industry.