Whakakaha i te Tangata – Strengthening Our People
We believe learning never stops. Our focus on continuing professional development is part of who we are - it’s about ako (learning together), mana tangata (uplifting our people), and whanaungatanga (growing strong connections across the team).
We start by building from within through toolbox sessions, inductions, and hands-on learning on the farm. From there, we open doors to industry and tertiary training so our people can keep developing new skills and knowledge.
Our vision is to grow capable, confident leaders from our own whānau - people who can step up into leadership and management roles while staying grounded in our values. When our people thrive, Pukerewa thrives - and that’s what true collective growth looks like.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini
(My success should not be bestowed on me alone; it was not individual success but the success of a collective)
A Snapshot from 2022 to 2025...
• Jun 2025 - Te Kura Correspondence School secondary student, endorsed by Pukerewa, commenced the Gateway
Programme through NZQA Primary ITO, working towards Level 1 and Level 2 Unit Standards.
• Jun 2025 - All employees successfully completed AG Drive Training three-day course, in the safe operation of
tractors, quadbikes (ATVs), light utility vehicles (LUVs), chainsaws, health and safety compliance.
• Apr 2025 - All employees completed St John First Aid course.
• Feb 2025 - First-year Growing Future Farmers cadet recruited and placement on Pukerewa confirmed.
• Dec 2024 - Pukerewa registered farm trainer with the Growing Future Farmers (GFF) Trust.
• Nov 2024 - Shepherd General recruited and appointed.
• May 2024 - Farm Manager appointed.
• 2024 - Primary ITO Diploma in Agribusiness Management (Level 5), incorporated key areas of production
management, benchmarking farm performance, developing production plans, managing resources
for sustainability, analysing production and financial outcomes.
• 2023-24 - Beef+Lamb NZ Workshops - Animal health issues such as parasite management; Soil fertility,
fertiliser planning and nutrient budgeting for pasture improvement; parasite and facial eczema
management.
• 2023 - Primary ITO National certificate (Level 4), included farm environment planning, livestock health
and breeding management, feed budgeting, pasture management, and maintenance of farm
machinery.
• Dec 2022 - Shepherd 2IC recruited and appointed. A Snapshot from 2016 to 2020...
- Rose Anderson (Regional Coordinator) from Primary ITO (formerly Agriculture ITO) met with Pukerewa to discuss and explore tertiary education pathways for our farm staff.
- Pukerewa farm staff attended NZ Beef + Lamb farmers forum for Hill Country Fertiliser & Cropping Options held at Sherlock Woolshed Waingaro.
- Waiariki Polytechnic launched LandEd, a new brand that will lead the delivery of training to the rural sector, providing opportunities for farm businesses to upskill their staff.
- Gill Peterson (Rural Training Coordinator) from LandEd Training & Advice offered Pukerewa fully subsidised training courses.
- Pukerewa farm staff attended NZ Beef + Lamb farmers forum for Waikato Farming for Profit held at La Valla Estate, Tuakau.
- Trustees, management, farm staff and their partners attended four sessions consisting of 1-2 days theory & practical training covering quad bike, tractor & implements, chainsaw, radio telecommunications, health & safety, and hazards management on farm.
- Pukerewa farm staff and their partners successfully completed First Aid course with First Training Ltd held at Limestone Downs Station.
- Pukerewa farm staff remain engaged in Primary ITO approved courses and farm forums.
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Pukerewa Station invested in information technology to improve performance management, planning and reporting. FarmIQ will enable management and staff to make productive, profitable, and sustainable decisions for the sheep and beef operation and environmental land management. This is further supported by online learning offered by FarmIQ and continuing professional development courses through the Primary ITO.
