News
26 August 2026
Recent detections of avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in New Zealand have shone a spotlight on the importance of biosecurity and poultry health across the country.
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).
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.
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
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.
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.