The future face of New Zealand’s rural industry

The common cry from many of today’s land managers is that the young New Zealanders who are seeking employment on New Zealand rural properties are ill-prepared for the rigors and day to day workload that is being asked of them. And it is not all physical work ethic and commonsense that they apparently lack. Lack of education, basic numeracy and literacy skills are said to be affecting on farm time-management, productivity, rural safety, and potentially the advancement of a tiny export industry competing for a market share in an ever expanding international arena. Whilst working alongside and educating farmers, their children, farm workers, and possible ‘wannabe’ entrants into the New Zealand rural industry, I have become increasingly concerned that the future leaders of this industry will lack the basic academic standards required to take on the enormous roles and responsibilities that the New Zealand farming community, the New Zealand rural export markets and all the associated businesses will be placing upon them.