Institute of Global Engagement New Zealand, study tour specialists

Another faculty led tour finished. Our Australian agriculture program has come to an end. From Rockhampton to Sydney via many stays in Brisbane, Warwick, Armidale and Quirindi. Last visit at magnificent Windy Station for Thanksgiving dinner before the popular farm stay experience. Finishing in Sydney before the long flights home and for me a quick flight to New Zealand. A big shout out to the many farmers, hosts and industry leaders for their time during a busy time. Enjoy some pics.

An aggie study abroad tour in Aussie! We have 25 agricultural science students and faculty from WTAMU with us. Starting in Rockhampton, the beef capital and having a close relationship with CQU we have enjoyed workshops, briefings, site visits and field studies in ag and horticulture. Meat processing, Brahman cattle and feelots, cattle auction, cattle station, research projects, cropping, cotton, ruminating nutrition, methane mitigation. Horticulture areas of macadamias, finger limes,mangoes, lychee, avocados. BBQs in the evenings and swimming and kayaking in dams. Then to Brisbane for the weekend, a day at Moreton Island and visit to a winery for tasting, tour and lunch. Camel dairy and sheep feedlot yesterday.. we are now heading inland for another 7 days of experiences.
Talk to us about your agricultural study tours!

Busy months of May and June for us with Faculty only and faculty led groups to Aotearoa New Zealand. Incredible visits and Indigenous experiences beautifully delivered by Maori iwi. The Faculty group from University of Richmond International Education loved their experiences in Auckland and Queenstown with the sports marketing visit to Eden Park being a highlight. Their powhiri welcome at Orakei Marae was a special occasion and our Tumuaki Dane was their guide and storyteller. Mental health and addictions was covered by the lovely team at Ease Up, and then to Queenstown for a packed 36 hours. Huge shout out to Sarah Lyttle, CEO at the NZ Nature Fund www.nznaturefund.org for arranging an excellent session on NZ conservation efforts and to Tamsin Orr-Walker MNZM who talked about her work with the Kea Conservation Trust. All washed down with a beautiful lunch at Kinross Estate (thanks Nicki) www.kinross.nz Lots more sessions were enjoyed, too many to list! Thank you Richmond - safe travels home.

I have just completed a very busy week in China of senior school visits (international, public and private), meetings with government Education Bureau representatives and our new Regional Director for Greater China for Education NZ at the NZ Embassy, Dr Ron Xavier. Was lovely to meet Rosemary and Jayne again at the Embassy who have been such great supporters of my work. The Youth Leadership Summit will return in July with many other lovely inbound groups and principal delegations planned. Enjoy some pics.

We announced our very first open registration study tour this morning! It is a flagship program Showcasing the New Zealand Agricultural Industry. Open to faculty and students studying, teaching and researching in agricultural sciences and related fields. 15 days in the beautiful South Island, June 2025. 12-15 places available. Contact [email protected] for more details.

Another great study tour 'done and dusted'. Big thanks to WTAMU for being such an engaged group with everything agriculture running through their veins. They loved their two night farm stays (a first), and in the final 10 days we covered a further range of ag related visits and meetings. Federated Farmers GMs in policy, advocacy and communications, a big hit once again. I enjoyed accompanying the group, perfect weather and great company. Thanksgiving dinner included cooked by the students. We covered nearly all sectors of the Ag industry in 15 days through the South and North Islands which was a major achievement. Go Buffs! See you in 2025.

We are hosting a very special group of Agricultural Science students from West Texas A&M University. This is a 3 week study tour and they have been very busy over the past week. We have covered stock judging, deer farming, high country stations (ranches), cropping and seeds, plant breeding and research programs. Meeting our Associate Minister of Agriculture Hon. Nicola Grigg MP has been a highlight, yesterday was the story of 'grass to glass' in the dairy industry. Right now they are enjoying a farm stay experience with local farming families - very exciting! We still have ten days left - this is a very action packed program through both the South and North Islands.

A special day of research and politics for our visiting WTAMU Aggie student study tour. Thanks to Hon. Nicola Grigg MP and Barenbrug Research for such an informative and day and kind hospitality.

After some lovely time out for us while our US unis were on summer break we are now preparing for the arrival of our agricultural science group from West Texas A&M University. Farm stays are included this year for students and faculty to be placed and 'roll their sleeves up' to work with our local hosts including a sheep milking farm! It looks like another busy year ahead with our regular US unis returning as well as some new ones and a return to our pre-covid youth leadership events that I have always enjoyed designing and hosting myself.
Pic of the 2023 West Texas A&M University visiting group.