Training others helps put Jack in the spotlight

PrimaryITO Media release
16 May 2016

Young West Coasters are lining up to be hired by Jack Raharuhi and learn the ropes of dairy farming.

That’s because the 450ha Landcorp property which Jack manages is known as “the training camp” and turns out highly-skilled, well-educated 2ICs year after year.

Jack left Buller High School at age 15 to work on the farm himself, and has developed a passion for training other young workers and helping them carve out viable career paths.

“I just love it. Seeing my peers progress through to good results and be appointed to higher positions elsewhere is pretty satisfying.

“Education is a big thing these days. To get a manager’s role now, qualifications are a necessity. If I can train my guys up to get to that level and know they have the certificates to back themselves up, I feel really positive that I’ve helped them get there.”

Jack’s leadership, commitment and own success has resulted in him being named a finalist in this year’s Ahuwhenua Young Māori Dairy Farmer Awards.

The 24 year-old had no experience in dairy farming when his father organised a job for him through a friend.

“I got into the wrong crowd as a teenager and I chose the wrong path. I left school and came to work here on the farm which I now manage. Dairy farming got me in line. I had no time to go out and get into trouble. Now I have a fiancée and two children.”

After three or four years of work, Jack decided to get back into study and enrolled with Primary ITO.

He has now completed Level 3, 4 and 5 qualifications in Dairy Farming and Production Management. He also has several short courses in milk quality and leadership skills under his belt, and was named Primary ITO’s West Coast Overall Trainee of the Year.

Jack has subsequently returned to speak at Buller High School to encourage students to apply for Landcorp’s own scholarship programme. “There were still teachers there who had given me detention and they couldn’t believe where I am now,” he laughs.

Jack currently employs 5 fulltime staff to help him look after 1100 cows which are milked twice daily through most of the season. Staff development is a big focus, and Jack oversees his employees’ own Primary ITO studies and provides individual training.

“If it’s raining I encourage them all to bring their books and study in the shed. I guide them when they get stuck and help them to identify and overcome any weaknesses. They’re all keen young fellas and people are lining up to work here because they know I’ll train them up really well.”

Jack is a big believer in second chances and says winning a prestigious award such as the Ahuwhenua would be a huge honour.

“It would definitely help me get to where I want to go. I want to be a supervisor and oversee 5000 cows or move into an advisory role down the track.

“I was really stoked to be named a finalist. It just feels great to be acknowledged for the things that I’m doing for other people and the work I’m doing for myself and this farm.”

For more information, please contact:

Anna Cox, Primary ITO Communications Adviser on anna.cox@primaryito.ac.nz or call (04) 382 2853, or mobile 027 436 6469.

About Primary ITO

Primary ITO provides NZQA endorsed qualifications and training to people employed in the agriculture, horticulture, equine, seafood, sports turf and food processing industries.

The ITO provides leadership in education and training, develops national qualifications, maintains national standards and provides ongoing support for their trainees and employers.

Primary ITO training is subsidised by industry and Government.

For more information on Primary ITO please go to www.primaryito.ac.nz or call 0800 20 80 20.