News

2 December 2025

After fifty years in horticulture and vocational education, Primary ITO Training Adviser Dom ‘the dominator’ Steenstra is retiring on 5 December to pursue retirement, or possibly a new career pathway.

26 November 2025

In a small rural community in North Hokianga, school students are learning practical skills and gaining valuable farming experience through the Primary ITO Gateway programme.

19 November 2025

On the rolling Canterbury plains near Methven, the third and fourth generation of the Molloy family are working the land and growing the knowledge of their dairy farm staff with Primary ITO.

13 November 2025

Primary ITO learners and graduates featured strongly at the 2025 Young Horticulturalist of the Year Competition in Auckland on 6 November, with Canterbury nursery manager Jake Linklater winning the supreme title.

15 October 2025

This Rural Women’s Day, we turn the spotlight on Primary ITO executive director, Andrea Leslie.

17 September 2025

Former farm cadet Eilish O’Neill is on a mission towards starting her own farming business, adding to her existing knowledge with the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Production Management (Level 5), through Primary ITO.

20 August 2025

From the family farm in India to seeking better life opportunities in New Zealand, Primary ITO learner Satbeer Sandhu has embraced a love of learning and passion for dairy farming to grow his career.

7 August 2025

Experienced arborist Ben Inkster is taking his career to new heights after completing the New Zealand Certificate in Arboriculture – Technical Operations strand (Level 5), through Primary ITO.

1 August 2025

Following the success of its pilot in Pukekohe, Primary ITO’s Horticulture Cadetship Programme is now available to growers in the Bay of Plenty.

29 July 2025

From hands-on in the vineyard, to management and a transition to supporting learners and employers undertaking on-job training, Primary ITO Sector Manager Jimmy Crockett brings a wealth of experience to the role.