Otiwhiti Station Land Based Training Agricultural School

Otiwhiti Station is an historic and iconic large scale sheep and cattle breeding property located in the Hunterville district, Rangitikei.

Now owned by the Duncan Land Company, Otiwhiti has been farmed until recently by Sir Thomas and Lady Duncan Trust for the funding of research and hospitalization of children with polio.

The property is 16km northwest of Hunterville, 67km from Palmerston North and 60km to Wanganui.

The total area of Otiwhiti Station was 3350 hectares and has now been purchased by two parts of the Duncan Family. The station buildings include the homestead, manager’s residence, shepherds residence, cookhouse and single shepherds’ quarters.

It is the cookhouse and single shepherds’ quarters that forms the home of the Otiwhiti Station Land Based Training Agricultural School.

The Otiwhiti Station Land Based Training Agricultural School is a joint venture between The Duncan Land Company and Land Based Training.

The Duncan Land Company has access to the property, staff time and facilities to enhance and teach hill country sheep and cattle skills to a select group of not more than ten (10) trainees per year.

The 10 first year students live 'on farm' combining practical everyday farming activities with theory in the classroom one day per week. Accommodation is located on the station, with the cookhouse an integral part of the complex.

Land Based Training offers the educational backup and teaching to ensure quality tuition is passed on to the fortunate selected students.