Stratford Park new home for learners

Primary industry tutors and ākonga (learners) helped plant five kōwhai trees in a ceremony to mark the beginning of new education activity onsite at Stratford Park.

The ceremony, which also included representatives from the Stratford Park Project, Stratford District Council, Taranaki Regional Council, Tree Machine Services, Ngāti Maru and Ngāti Ruanui and local MPs, was a celebration of the launch of the education collaboration at the site on Flint Road East in Stratford.

“It’s a great connection between several different entities. The collaboration is quite special and it will benefit education and increase opportunities for students around the maunga. Because of the large and varied nature of the project there will be many diverse training possibilities,” says WITT Te Pukenga Primary Industries Lead Peter Henderson.

Learners on multiple programmes will now be able to fulfil some of the practical components of their learning at the new community site.

It’s amazing to see how many groups have come together for such an important community asset and also to teach people for the future and to demonstrate what can be achieved and how to look after our environment. And that’s really exciting,” says Wild for Life CEO Andy Cronin.

Stratford Park is a community-led development between the Stratford A&P Association and the Taranaki Motorsport Trust to create an all-encompassing events, education and activity venue.