TATC - Students FAQ

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?

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?

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.

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. Some students are allowed to bring a dog earlier in the courses subject to prior agreement.

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.

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)