Big blow as Taratahi placed in liquidation
A major national agricultural training facility has gone into liquidation, affecting 250 jobs and 2850 students.
Wairarapa-based Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, which has 11 campuses across the country, was placed in interim liquidation by the High Court on Wednesday.
Taratahi board chairwoman Mavis Mullins said it was the most responsible decision to protect the current and future position of its staff, students, creditors and other key stakeholders.
‘‘It is very distressing for the staff and board of Taratahi which would have celebrated 100 years in 2019. Our main concerns are for our students, staff, animal welfare and our creditors and partners.’’
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said he was ‘‘incredibly saddened and disappointed’’ that Taratahi had reached a point where its operation was unsustainable.
‘‘We will continue working with industry on a plan to deliver a new approach to agrisector training that meets the needs of the industry now and into the future.’’
In 2014, Taratahi was ordered to pay back $8.6 million it had been paid for courses it failed to deliver.
In May this year, the Tertiary Education Commission said half had been paid back.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said it was clear the current model of vocational training for primary industry was broken.
‘‘We are looking at new models of primary industry training provision as part of the Vocational Education Training Review.’’
The National Party’s tertiary education, skills and employment spokeswoman, Paula Bennett, said the Government was bribing students into tertiary education through its fees-free programme and yet was now allowing one of our biggest agricultural tertiary education providers to fold.
‘‘This Government has badly let down rural communities, students and staff. It talks up its support of the regions but has once again turned its back on them when it matters.’’
Wairarapa-based Labour list MP Kieran McAnulty said the first priority was looking after staff and students and then securing vital assets to continue agricultural training in the area.
‘‘It’s devastating news and personally I’m absolutely gutted. The time is awful and I really feel for the staff but also the students.’’
The Tertiary Education Commission, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Studylink were working together to support to find alternative options, McAnulty said.
David Ruscoe and Russell Moore, of Grant Thornton, have been appointed interim liquidators.
Ruscoe said students would be given information on the options available to them for continuing their education.
‘‘It’s devastating news and personally I’m absolutely gutted.’’ Wairarapa-based Labour list MP Kieran McAnulty