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.

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.

15 October 2025

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

13 October 2025

Treescape Hamilton is helping to train the next generation of arborists by supporting a high school student to gain valuable work experience and practical knowledge to kick start his career in the industry.

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.

23 June 2025

Primary ITO-qualified amenity horticulture apprentice River Foster gets to “explore the whole city through its gardens” in his role with the Wellington City Council parks team.

28 May 2025

Growing trusted relationships with industry is a vital part of the role for Primary ITO Sector Manager Mark Orr, who joined the team 17 years ago after running his own successful landscaping business.

4 April 2025

Adapting to life in another country is something Training Adviser Martina knows all about. After arriving in New Zealand on a working holiday visa over ten years ago, she has come full circle, now supporting work visa learners studying with Primary ITO.

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.

11 February 2025

From jobseeker benefit to discovering a passion for growing fruit, Primary ITO learner Mitchell Rush has just ticked off his apprenticeship and a job promotion.