Competition gets tough in Taranaki / Manawatu Region

The 2014 AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg Regional Finals are in full swing and making their way around the country.

The competitions test skills, strength and stamina while introducing youth to the fun side of agriculture. Primary and high school students from all walks of life are welcome to join in.

Taranaki / Manawatu held their Regional Final in New Plymouth at Yarrow Stadium with Manly Maks, Nick Minnis, Tom Tukington & Angus Grant from South Makirikiri School taking home the top honour in the AgriKidsNZ competition and Mararua, Harrison Martin & David Corpe from Feilding High School were the top team in the TeenAg event.

Rounding out the top three for AgriKidsNZ was The Mak Mowers, Emma Hockley, Catherine Torrie & Kate Wigglesworthin second place from South Makirikiri School and third place went to Three Makateers, Mark O’Shanassy, Jack Norman & Harriet Whitfield from South Makirikiri South.

AgriKidsNZ is open to children 8-13 years of age and they compete in teams of three while the TeenAg competition calls for high school students 13-18 years old, competing in pairs.

“It was great to get the first North Island Regional Final ticked off and to see how excited competitors were to test their skills against the challenging modules and Race Off setup” commented Josie Hampton, AgriKidsNZ & TeenAg Project Leader.

There was some fierce competition amongst the TeenAg competitors. The Stags, James Robinson & Rory Harrigan from Feilding High School took home second place and in third was FDMC 1, Jack Kiernan & Alex Kalin from Francis Douglas Memorial College.

The competitions are structured into eight modules which can test anything and everything farm related. The top scoring seven teams continue through to the Race-Off challenge where contestants must work as a team and complete a series of tasks as fast as possible.

Top three teams from each Regional Final are invited to attend the 2014 Grand Final held in Christchurch, 3-5 July where they will battle it out for the national champion’s title.
Several Regional Final events are nearing capacity which presents an exciting challenge for event organisers.

“Once again we are very excited to find our top three teams for AgriKids and TeenAg. We hope that teams are getting into training mode from now on” said Miss Hampton.
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