Thursday 8th February 2018

Future food producers to do battle in Masterton

More than 150 school students will descend on Masterton next weekend to compete in a fast-paced national competition.

The East Coast regional finals for AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg will take place at the A&P Showgrounds on February 17th.

Almost 40 teams of students will face off in the AgriKidsNZ event. More than 20 will do battle in the TeenAg competition.

“The aim of the contests is to get kids excited about a career in the primary industries,” said competition co-ordinator David Highsted.

“Students tackle fun challenges which test their practical and theoretical skills.”

“The events are hosted by comedian Te Radar and it’s an entertaining day for competitors and spectators,” he said.

Dannevirke South School has entered eight teams in the AgriKidsNZ contest. Argyll East School has seven.

Eight teams from Rathkeale College will do battle in the TeenAg event, with six competing from Napier Boys’ High School.

Brothers Callum and Archie Woodhouse from Rathkeale College in Masterton won the TeenAg Grand Final in Timaru in 2016.

The team from Napier Boys’ High School placed second.

“It was a massive year for the East Coast. A trio from Tinui School took out the AgriKidsNZ Grand Final as well,” said David.

The competitions will run alongside the prestigious East Coast Regional Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

The top three AgriKidsNZ teams and the two top TeenAg teams will go through to the grand final in Invercargill in July.

Background for 2018 East Coast regional final:

AgriKidsNZ: 37 teams
TeenAg: 22 teams

AgriKidsNZ began in 2005 and TeenAg began in 2009.

The competitions are a key part of the work being done by NZ Young Farmers attract students into the agri-food sector.

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