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.

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.

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.

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.

9 October 2025

Whether you're picking, packing, or leading a warehouse team – there's a Primary ITO distribution programme for you.

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.