Wednesday, 16 January 2019 08:55

The model is broken – Govt

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says he’s saddened by Taratahi’s troubles.

Minister of Education Chris Hipkins concedes the timing of the Taratahi interim liquidation is tough, especially for students and staff, and he says supporting them is a top priority.

Hipkins says the TEC will work with Taratahi, NZQA and StudyLink to support students in alternative options. Staff will also be supported.

“The financial problems surfaced at Taratahi in 2014 when it was not providing the teaching it was funded to deliver between 2009 and 2014. As a result, Taratahi was left with debts of $7.5 million due to under-delivery – in addition to hefty private sector debt it had incurred. Taratahi has repaid $3.5m of that, mostly by selling assets, but this is not a sustainable model.”

Hipkins says the government is “taking steps” to secure the home farm and is talking to providers to fill the gap in provision for students. But he says it’s clear the current model for vocational training for primary industry is broken and that the government plans to solve this for continuity in training students.

“We are looking at new models of primary industry training as part of the Vocational Education Training Review.”

Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor says he’s saddened and disappointed that Taratahi, a proud agricultural training organisation, has been found unsustainable.

“I am committed to primary sector training. We will continue working with industry on a plan for agri sector training that meets the needs of the industry now and into the future,” he says.

Featured

Survey shows most Fonterra farmers plan to use capital return for debt reduction

A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.

McClay: “Go hard, go fast!"

Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.

Fonterra’s $3.2b capital return to farmers set to boost rural incomes and NZ economy

According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.

$2b boost in NZ exports to EU

New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.

US tariffs hit European ag machinery markets

The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.

Tributes paid to Jim Bolger

Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.