Federated Farmers backs the year 11 agricultural science U-turn
Many 16-year-olds have already chosen a career in agriculture or the trades and should be able to specialise.
|November 4, 2026Listen to the full interview:
Federated Farmers is celebrating the Government’s decision to keep agricultural and horticultural science as a standalone year 11 subject.
Federated Farmers education spokesperson Greg Anderson says it took courage for Education Minister Erica Stanford to reverse the decision. “It takes a lot of guts to probably back down from decision that you thought was right,” he says.
He says many 16-year-olds have already decided to go into agriculture or the trades.
“If there’s a specialised subject in year 11 let them take it.”
He says one college has about 300 of its 2200 students taking year 11 agriculture, and 95% of them come from urban backgrounds.
He says the sector needs to get involved with the government early so it doesn’t make wrong decisions.
To learn more, visit fedfarm.org.nz
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