Isaac Gourlay was the first recipient this year to receive the Ron Papuni Award for Excellence by a Māori student in Year 13 Horticulture at Katikati College, where the Horticulture Innovation Hub is being developed to strengthen the pathway into Horticulture for rangatahi at Katikati College with industry support and our own Enoka Waiari being a foundational member of the establishment Board.
Parewhati and Aunty Pua were on hand to represent Ongare at the Katikati College end of year prize-giving in December where Isaac also scooped up awards for Agriculture and the Prime Minister’s Award for vocational excellence.
Issac has started working at the local Butchers in Katikati. So next time you’re in Katikati or passing through be sure to stop in to mihi to Issac.
Isaac has also shared his own kōrero for us here;
Ko Tongariro tōku maunga
Ko Kaituna tōku awa
Ko Te Arawa tōku iwi
Ko Tapiti tōku marae
No Katikati ahau
Ko Isaac tōku ingoa
I have always enjoyed the outdoors and agriculture. I love to spend time camping, hunting, fishing, and swimming.
I have grown up in rural Katikati and as a family have always had animals including cows. I have enjoyed helping on the farm around us shifting stock, feeding out and weed control.
Through Katikati College I have completed Horticulture culture for the last 3 years. I have also participated in the Farming course run by Primary ITO for 3 years.
In 2022 I also added in going to the Local Butchers one day a week through the school trades program. They then offered me work after school and Saturday mornings.
I have now signed my apprenticeship papers to become a butcher, with Work 4 Skills and Village Butchery in Katikati. This is a 3 year apprenticeship and I’m really enjoying learning lots of new skills.
I have a long term goal of being on a farm and using my butchery skills as either a home kill butcher or having my own shop.
I really appreciate the scholarship I received as this has helped me purchase my knives, saws, pouches etc for my trade and will help with expenses like course fees and block courses in Auckland.
Many Thanks
Isaac Gourlay
