Shearing the Kiwi experience | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

A Chinese farming tutor tried his hand at sheep shearing for the first time during an education exchange course at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre.

Li Renjun, a teacher at the Guizhou Animal Husbandry School in Guiyang, southwest China, last week reached the end of a nine-week programme at Taratahi providing farm-based training to animal husbandry teachers from China.

Mr Li focused on understanding the Taratahi education delivery model and New Zealand farming practices and particularly enjoyed a first-time opportunity to work with sheep.

Mr Li spent time drenching, injecting and docking at Taratahi's Glenside farm, learned to shear and said he was amazed at the skill of tutors and students.

He also learned basic milking, chainsaw and fencing skills, worked with deer, and participated in workshop and classroom-based activities.

"I have enjoyed every part of my visit, learning about New Zealand, farming and learning at Taratahi," Mr Li said.

"The tutors here work hard but they are always patient with their guidance. I have enjoyed learning at Taratahi."

Taratahi education support manager Stephen Hannam said Mr Li was a pleasure to host. "He has embraced every opportunity to learn about farming practice and to understand how we teach such a practical subject."

Mr Li graduated from Guizhou Agricultural College in 1997 and worked in rural Guizhou for five years. He completed a Veterinary Medicine Degree at Guizhou University in 2005 and qualified as a vet in 2010. He has a wife and an 8-year-old son in Guizhou.

Mr Hannam said the tutor study programmes at Taratahi and Massey University would strengthen platforms for relationships in education and business with Guizhou.

The Province of Guizhou is mountainous, subtropical and one of China's poorest. Rice cultivation is a primary agricultural activity and only small herds of goats, pigs and some beef cattle are kept for food.