News

27 July 2026

Primary ITO is introducing short modular training for the horticulture industry, to support new staff to gain introductory knowledge and existing staff to grow their skills.

8 July 2026

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

28 April 2026

Supporting successful on-job learning and assessment is a highlight of Al Gordon’s twenty-year career at Primary ITO, a significant milestone he achieved in April.

19 February 2026

Industry employers have an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of work-based learning in the food and fibre industry over the next few months.

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.

15 October 2025

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