Kerikeri Primary Industries trip
By Marco Troost
Earlier in term 3 the Level 1 Primary Industries and Year 10 Green to Gold classes had an overnight trip to Kerikeri to explore various career options in the area.
We first visited Maungatapere Berries owned by the Malley family. We walked through their various orchards as well as visiting their cool store and pack house. Students learned about the significant cost in setting up and running a major horticultural business as well as the many career options available.
The next stop was Okaihau Pastural Ltd, a large scale, high input dairy farm of 1200 cows managed by Joe Foster. We were shown the 60 bail rotary shed in action, covered feed pads where the cows were being feed a mixture which included chocolate and biscuits, and the effluent ponds. The students were able to have a go at putting on the cups, a first time for many of them. Ladene also discovered that high heels are not the most suitable footwear to wear to a dairy farm.
That night we stayed at Kerikeri Holiday Park and Motels which was enjoyed and appreciated by all. Against all predictions the management of the holiday park are very happy for us to return next year.
The next day before returning to Otamatea we visited Turners and Growers Kerikeri and were given a tour of their various orchards around Kerikeri, the most popular of which was the mandarin orchard.
By all accounts it was a great trip made possible by all the sites who generously hosted us and the assistance of Ladene and Sam.
