For the past 40 years, the Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers Association (Hata) has been dedicated to promoting and improving the teaching and learning of agricultural and horticultural science in New Zealand schools.

The association encourages, supports and shares information about the curriculum, teaching and learning through the running of biennial conferences, publishing quarterly newsletters, regular communication with members, and managing the website — hata.nz.

The association has a biennially elected president for agriculture, a president for horticulture, an industry representative, a vice chairman, a treasurer and a secretary.

Current treasurer/secretary Kerry Allen said there were about 650 teachers on their database, representing 195 predominantly secondary schools.

“We have regional hubs based throughout the country, which deliver workshops, programmes and resources to teachers.

“The hubs all have very different needs depending on their location.”

In July 2022, the Ministry of Primary Industries provided funding for Sow the Seed Agricultural and Horticultural Science Advisory Team, which in conjunction with Hata supports the primary industries in schools.

Sow the Seed subject advisor Suzy Newman said they tried to support teachers to whatever level their school provided for the subject and worked with the Ministry of Education to update classroom resources.

“It’s not only agriculture and horticulture that needs to be promoted in schools, but agribusiness, orchard management, forestry, fishing, viticulture and factory processing employees are required by primary industry employers.”

Existing teachers are supported in their roles, but experienced primary industry members are asked to consider re-training to enable them to share their knowledge by teaching the next generation of primary industry employees.

“Part of our role is to maintain an up-to-date database of all primary industry courses and qualifications, whether they are achievement standards or unit standards, there are numerous pathways into the industry,” curriculum director for Sow the Seed, Kerry Allen said.

Hata, along with Agribusiness in Schools, Sow the Seed, the Ministry of Education and MPI maintain a website that holds over 240 scholarships worth $3.5 million for students looking to enter the industry.

The scholarships are funded by private trusts and individuals, industry organisations and companies and cover all areas of primary industry.

DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb NZ help provide resources that meet the needs of the intended younger audiences.

A dairy farmer outlining their production processes to a group of HATA teachers.

It isn’t only secondary and tertiary education that is supported by Hata.

While there are no specific agriculture and horticulture teachers at the primary school level Hata provides resources for primary teachers to include in the junior curriculum.

“Some resources such as a Paddock to Plate card game for years five to eight help players learn about the supply chain in primary industries. Other units can be worked into literacy and numeracy lessons,” Newman said.

A group of teachers attending a national conference at John McGlashan College.

Sow the Seed sponsors the House of Science kit “Plants, Pests & Produce / Ngā Tipu, NgāKīrearea me Ngā Hua”.

The kit explores some of the science that supports our primary sector producers and can be accessed by New Zealand primary schools nationwide.

House of Science aims to see every child in New Zealand become scientifically literate with a huge economic and social benefit to New Zealand including the primary industries.

HATA treasurer/secretary Kerry Allen, (left) and Sow the Seed subject advisor Suzy Newman.

With sponsorship from Rabobank, sets of the Australian George the Farmer books have gone out to 100 New Zealand primary schools.

In the books, farming life is depicted using a relatable cartoon farmer character.

Teacher resources to support the books have been adapted for the New Zealand agri context to support the curriculum delivery.

A John McGlashan College student outlines his understanding of different malts used in the brewing industry to a group of teachers.

As well as encouraging students into the sector, bringing horticultural and agricultural awareness into schools helps reduce the rural/urban divide by enabling urban students to understand where their food comes from and how it gets to their tables.

The Garden to Table programme has a good following in primary schools.

More than 32,000 primary and intermediate students grew, cooked, and ate more than one million vegetable-based meals through Garden to Table in 2023.

This real-world learning is designed to easily link back to the school curriculum.

Statistics from Sow the Seed’s 2023 annual report show a steady increase from 2017 to 2023 in the number of students studying agriculture and horticulture subjects over NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3.

“It’s our job to get support for what we are doing and connect the people to make things happen as cost-effectively and seamlessly as possible,” Newman said.

With agricultural and horticultural science deemed a subject of national significance in New Zealand’s education system, it is becoming increasingly important for the industry to supply the right people with the depth of knowledge required to teach them.

Funding and sponsorship from across the primary industries, alongside teachers teaching the curriculum and volunteers assisting with programmes all play a vital role in raising the next generation of primary industry leaders in New Zealand.