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Dom Steenstra
Dom signs off after fifty-year career in horticulture

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.

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Gateway students kick-start their farming careers in Northland

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.

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Vehicle and machinery micro-credentials open to non-primary sector

14 November 2025

Primary ITO vehicle and chainsaw micro-credentials are now available for self-employed owner-operators and people working in industries not related to the primary sector.

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Young Horticulturalist competition celebrates up and coming talent

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.

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Celebrating Rural Women’s Day: Andrea Leslie’s Journey of Education and Impact

15 October 2025

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

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Sector Manager reflects on 25 years of learner growth and achievement

3 September 2025

A passion for adult education has driven Primary ITO sector manager Tanya Ingram on a path of professional development while supporting learners and industry over two decades with the organisation.

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Phone app trialled for tractor micro-credential assessment

21 July 2025

A mobile phone app has been trialled to record practical evidence of learners completing the Primary ITO tractor micro-credential, as technology presents new opportunities for enhancing assessment practices.

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Primary ITO learner wins top dairy industry award

23 May 2025

Eighteen-year-old Pieter Van Beek was delighted to win the Dairy Trainee of the Year Award in front of 620 people at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Tauranga on 10 May.

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Rev up your teams skills!

27 March 2025

From tractors to chainsaws and everything in between. Get yourself or your team trained with our hugely popular vehicle and machinery courses.

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Bite-sized vehicle and machinery training

7 February 2025

From tractors to chainsaws and everything in between. Get yourself or your team trained with our hugely popular vehicle and machinery courses.