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ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.
The scholarships, for courses based at the Wairarapa-based Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, are designed to eliminate the financial barriers that young Maori can face when considering training for a career in the farming industry.
Anthony Ririnui, ASB national manager Maori banking services, says ASB acknowledges the growing focus on building Māori capability in the farming sector. "We are pleased to be working with the Poutama Trust to provide an education avenue for young Maori who are interested in being part of the future of farming," he says.
Richard Jones, chief executive Poutama Trust, says an estimated $6 billion of land based assets managed and owned by Maori is significant to New Zealand's agriculture industry. "We are thrilled to be working with ASB to help build a tangible pathway into farming for the young Māori who will one day be the future of this industry," he says.
In 2012 ASB committed to the growth of Maori businesses by signing an accord with Poutama Trust, an independent, apolitical and pan-iwi charitable trust dedicated to the development of Maori businesses nationwide and internationally.
The Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre is the country's biggest agricultural training centre and offers a wide range of practically-based farming courses.
