More agricultural training opportunities for young Maori will be offered in a new farm partnership announced today.
Lincoln University and a farm trust will run a sheep and beef farm north of Bulls in the Rangitikei district as a training centre, and eventually as a demonstration farm.
The 418-hectare Westoe farm has been gifted by local farmers and philanthropists Jim and Diana Howard, as an agricultural training facility.
Lincoln's vice chancellor, Andrew West, said the focus would be on teaching young people the practicalities of sheep and beef farming.
And he said young Maori from the Ngati Apa Iwi will be included in the training programme.
Dr West said the university was keen to train them in these land based activities including agriculture and horticulture.
He said they are meeting with the iwi about using the Westoe Farm facilities.
Dr West said Ngati Apa is co-owner of another farm in the district, the former Flock House training and research farm which AgResearch sold to Maori interests earlier this year.