MEDIA RELEASE

11 February 2011

Motivated Waikato poultry industry trainees achieve top awards

The Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) recognised its top Agriculture ITO trainees at its December Board meeting in Auckland. The Poultry Industry Trainees of the Year travelled to Auckland for lunch with the PIANZ board and to accept their awards.

Waipaare Tuhakaraina accepted the Level 3 Poultry Industry Trainee of the Year award and Natasha Kampshof received the Level 4 Poultry Industry Trainee of the Year award. The women are both farm managers for Ingham’s rearing farms in the Waikato and also completed Modern Apprenticeships through Agriculture ITO.

Agriculture ITO key account manager, Sharon Orr, was involved with the selection process.

“Our eligible trainees are ranked on their theory grades as well as their practical work,” she says. “Waipaare and Natasha are excellent examples of our trainees who are achieving at the highest level.”

Michael Brooks, executive director of PIANZ, is enthusiastic about the benefits training brings to his industry.

“We have worked closely with Agriculture ITO to develop a range of qualifications from Levels 2 through to 4,” he says. “We see it as absolutely essential for our industry that a training pathway is provided – we wish to see excellence through all elements of our industry.

“Our recognition of the Trainee of the Year is part of that process. Waipaare and Natasha represent that attainment and the desire for excellence of which the industry is proud.”

Waipaare and Natasha both expressed surprise at their respective wins. “I had to ask if they had the right name,” Waipaare laughs.

Rewarded for her work towards her National Certificate in Poultry Husbandry, Waipaare is finding the skills and knowledge she learned valuable.

“A lot of it is hands on,” she says. “But there’s a lot you don’t realise until you do the theory part of the course.”
Debbie Fisher, breeder manager at Inghams and of the two winners, is full of praise for both women.

“Waipaare has progressed very quickly through the ranks from egg collector to rearing farm manager,” she says. “She is a quick learner who is very proactive and a hard worker who communicates well with staff.  She did all her Level 3 work with no help from me.

“Natasha is a very good manager who is highly regarded by management here,” Debbie continues. “She has a good concept of chicken husbandry and works well with staff.  She is very hard working.

“They both threw themselves into their courses, set their own targets and got it done.”

Natasha is enthusiastic about the career opportunities her National Certificate in Poultry Management has brought her. 

“I felt very privileged to have had the opportunity to study through my company, learn and expand my knowledge, then get recognition for the work I’ve put in,” she says. “So I was stoked when I heard I had won the award. It was a total surprise to me though.”

Waipaare isn’t finished with her achievements. “It’s been a wicked experience,” she says. “I’ve got Level 4 courses coming up this year. I’d recommend that others in the industry do qualifications, it’s well worth it.”

Natasha agrees. “I would definitely recommend that others train through Agriculture ITO. Keeping an open mind and being taught about other roles in your industry is always a positive thing. It allows us to keep improving ourselves and the industry as a whole.”

ENDS

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