Future food producers to do battle in Waimate

Tuesday 10th April 2018

Future food producers to do battle in Waimate

Almost 230 school students will descend on Waimate this weekend to compete in a fast-paced national competition.

The Aorangi regional finals for AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg will take place at the Waimate Showgrounds on April 14th.

Fifty teams of students will face off in the AgriKidsNZ event, which is a national record for a regional final.

Almost 40 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.

Almost a quarter of the teams entered in the two contests are from Geraldine High School.

“To have 19 teams entered across the two regional finals is an impressive effort for a school,” said David.

Waimate High School, Timaru Boys’ High School and Geraldine High School have all entered more than six TeenAg teams each.

Waitaki Valley School, Longbeach School, Hinds School and Mt Somers Springburn School have each entered about eight AgriKidsNZ teams.

The competitions will run alongside the prestigious Aorangi 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.

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

Background for 2018 Aorangi regional finals:

AgriKidsNZ: 50 teams
TeenAg: 38 teams

AgriKidsNZ began in 2005 and TeenAg began in 2009.

ends

© Scoop Media