Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm

Smedley Station & Cadet Training Farm operates as a commercial farm as well as a self-funding training facility for 22 farming cadets.

Smedley Station takes 11 first year cadets and 11 second year cadets who graduate after two years with a National Certificate in Agriculture, Level Four. Graduates go on to roles in the agricultural sector ranging from working on farms, to rural property advisors and rural finance experts, or to further education.

Any person between 16 and 20 years of age who is studying in at least their third year of secondary education is eligible to apply for a cadetship.

History

In 1919 Smedley Station owner, Josiah Howard, bequeathed Smedley Station to His Majesty the King, with the confidence that the New Zealand Government would use the property as a foundation or endowment for the purposes of agricultural education.

Smedley Station is the largest active farm administered by Public Trust. It is located at the end of Smedley Road, which intersects with SH50 just north of Tikokino. The station comprises approximately 5,000 hectares (3,187 ha effective) of flat to steep hill country.

The first training cadets arrived at Smedley Farm in 1931 and more than 560 cadets have graduated over the last 75 years, including All Black Greg Somerville. Many graduates have gone on to senior positions in the farming industry.

How to apply

You can download an information pack and entry details from the Smedley Station website

For more information please get in touch online, or call us on 0800 371 471.

Applications close on 31 July each year.