pitasharples

Pita Sharples wowed by Taratahi

April 6 2011

Taratahi were pleased to be able to host the Hon Dr Pita R Sharples, Minister of Maori Affairs and Associate Minister of Tertiary Education on Wednesday evening. Minister Sharples expressed his amazement at the size and scale of Taratahi and was excited to be able to officially open the newly built residential accommodation for first year students at the Wairarapa campus. The Minister delighted in meeting residential students while he was shown around campus including meeting Taratahi’s 2010 Top student Cologne McKinstry who was practicing her skills with her two working dogs. Cologne is now in her second year at Taratahi studying towards her National Certificate in Agriculture Level 4 qualification and the Minister was intrigued by the amazing abilities she showed in controlling the sheep. The staff and students enjoyed the Minister reminiscing about his early days in the shearing sheds before heading off to University. The Minister remarked that he wished his tamariki had the opportunity to grow up in the rural community as he had.

The Minister concluded his tour with observing students training for the annual Hoof and Hook competition to be held in Feilding next month. Students started two months ago with unbroken steers, and have been going through the process of taming them to get them show ready for the Future Beef competition where Taratahi have entered three teams from their campuses around the country to compete throughout this weekend event.

The Minister was extremely pleased to see the progress that Taratahi had made over the last few years in expanding their training provision throughout the country as well as their commitment to working collaboratively with other organisations to ensure the best people work in the best industry for the best national economy.