Ten Gisborne students this year became the first graduates of the Tūranga Ararau nationally recognised Whakatiputanga Ngahere New Zealand Diploma in Forest Management Level 6.
With the planned closure of the Toi Ohomai Forest Management diploma next year, Tūranga Ararau will be the only institution in New Zealand delivering the qualification, combining forestry science, health and safety, and practical fieldwork and is currently in discussions with iwi, industry and other interested parties to extend provision.
The graduation, held at Whakatō Marae, celebrated two years of hard work from the students and marked a devoted journey taking more than two years for Tūranga Ararau to get NZQA accreditation for the Diploma.
Tūranga Ararau Ruapani Forestry Manager, Henry Mulligan says his vision has always been to give more people the opportunity to advance themselves.
Graduates included Seth Andreasen, Tina Harrison, Robert Harrison, John Henry, Stan Hovell, Amohau Maxwell, Awhina Paul, Jack Truelock, Jack Willock and Mamie West.
The fit for purpose Forestry Diploma meant every single graduate was either already employed, had started their own business or is continuing with further education.
Real-world challenges
Graduate and top student, Jack Willock, was awarded Te Whata Ruru, a Ruapani taonga carved by Whare Gilbert in recognition of the contribution the late John Ruru MNZM made to the Tūranga Ararau Forestry programmes, which included a scholarship sponsored by his whānau. Jack was sponsored by Juken New Zealand through his Diploma and is now in full-time employment with them. Jack Truelock was awarded the top research project prize for his presentation on chemical thinning
Reflecting on the two years since he started the Diploma, he says he still feels passionate about the chance he’d been given.
He started in 2023 at Canterbury University before realising it wasn’t the right path for him, then came across the Forestry Management Diploma at Tūranga Ararau which aligned with his values and goals.
He says “diverse is an understatement” about the group he graduated beside because they spanned ages, backgrounds and cultures.
“This diploma has set all of us up for real-world challenges, and we’ve learned values that will contribute in a meaningful way to the forestry industry here,” he says.
He credits programme facilitator, Henry Mulligan, with getting them all through two years of hard work, dedication and learning to graduation day.
The hands-on diploma is supported by the Gisborne forestry industry. Speaking at the graduation, Regional Manager for Forest Enterprises and Eastland Wood Council Deputy Chair, Warren Rance, challenged himself and others in the industry to contribute more to the Tūranga Ararau Forestry Diploma.
He told the graduates that one of their jobs as a forester was to protect the soil on the land for as long as possible.
His strong environmental focus has spanned 30 years in the industry including managing erosion control projects in other countries. He told the graduates that one of the benefits of forestry was care of the land and keeping the soil on the hills.
“It’s an opportunity for you to...
