Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t have any farming experience. Can I still apply?
We don’t mind if you don’t have any previous experience. What we are looking for is someone who is passionate and motivated about a career in agriculture.
I am not from the Wairarapa. Do you provide accommodation?
Taratahi’s halls of residence and campus are 5 minutes from Masterton, Wairarapa’s main town. The campus is situated in the heart of the dairy operation.
What does the Wairarapa have to offer after hours?
The Wairarapa has a wide range of outdoor and sporting activities, gigs, etc with tramping, hunting and fishing all available locally. Taratahi is only 1 hour from the cities of Palmerston North and Wellington. Masterton is a good size town centre with shopping to cater for most needs.
For more information check out Living on campus.
How do I keep in touch with my family and friends?
Taratahi has a computer suite with access to telephones, email and internet.
Will Taratahi help me find a job?
Our courses have a great reputation, so many farmers contact us during the year offering jobs to our students.
Do I need a drivers licence?
It is preferable to have at least your restricted licence. Encouragement will be given to those who don’t have a licence to complete this at their cost with a recognised driving instructor.
How do I get to town if I don’t have a vehicle?
Regular trips are made to Masterton for replenishing of student needs. We will also take you to the train, plane or bus station when required.
Can I bring a work dog to Taratahi?
Sheep and beef students are given the option to bring a dog after they have completed two terms of their course. The dog should be under command and have all of its vaccinations and registration completed before arriving at Taratahi.
How do I pay my fees?
Taratahi offers various options at enrolment. These are fully discussed when you apply and include payment in full, or instalments, by automatic payment.
Many students apply for scholarships before they arrive and during their study, so there are plenty of options available.
Can I bring a Laptop?
Yes you can bring your own laptop, however with the high level of traffic on our wireless network, and the spread of our campus a wireless connection cannot be guaranteed in student bedrooms. However you can connect in the class rooms and use the computer suite where we provide a free internet connection and Microsoft office for personal use and school work. If you want guaranteed internet in your rooms, it is recommended that you purchase a T-Stick for your own use.
Can I bring a horse to Taratahi?
At Taratahi we encourage every student to pursue their passions and interests in the weekends and after hours. While there are no facilities on the campus or any of our farms to keep personal horses, if you would like to bring your own horse to the Wairarapa, Panorama Equine Park is situated about fifteen minutes from Campus and offer very competitive rates for grazing for Taratahi students. You can look into what the facility has to offer at http://www.panoramaequine.net.nz/ . There is the opportunity to do stock work on horses on one of our farms, Mangarata, where horses will be provided by Taratahi.
Do you have a DVD about Taratahi?
Yes we do. Please contact the office and we will send one out to you.
How much money can I expect to get paid as a shepherd/dairy assistant when I graduate?
This is a tricky question to answer because employer’s have different rates and pay their workers in different ways (ie some include a free house, meat, electricity within the wage structure and others don’t).
Here are a few general figures that should be used as guide only:
- An average salary for a Dairy Farm Assistant is around $33,800
- An average salary for a shepherd is around $34,600
- Other benefits on top of a salary range from about $3500 - $8000
- The average casual skilled worker will earn between $3 – $4.50 per hour more than an unskilled worker (depending on whether it is fencing, shepherding, tractor driving etc)
Page last updated on: 27-01-2012
