Agriculture Minister David Carter has approved Masterton-based Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre buying a 518ha Mangarata sheep and beef farm north of the town and backed its plans to upgrade facilities and student accommodation.
When asked if he saw the Government's support for Taratahi as a threat to Telford, its chief executive, Jonathan Walmisley, said it was nothing of the sort and he welcomed it as good news for agricultural students around the country.
Taratahi and Telford were different in many respects, he said.
The North Island facility was not a polytechnic but a training centre and it also needed Government backing to buy land and embark on any major capital spending, whereas Telford was a polytechnic with its own council that made financial decisions.
Telford had also this year bought more land - a neighbouring property that will be used to improve training resources for students.
It had also built an accommodation hostel and has plans for a major new indoor equine arena.
Mr Walmisley said Telford worked closely with Taratahi and was excited to see it had been given permission to expand.
In a statement, Mr Carter said the new Taratahi farm would be used to help train the next generation of farmers.
The purchase was a significant development for the training centre and the Government's support was a sign of its commitment to excellence in agricultural training, Mr Carter said.
