Morrinsville College and Mt Albert Grammar School took out the third annual Auckland Clash of the Colleges held for the first time at Donald’s Farm in Whitford.
Agri Futures spokesperson Daniel O’Regan said 110 students from five schools, from Te Awamutu to Auckland, took part in the 2025 competition, which ended the reign of Mt Albert Grammar School wins.
Massey University’s Dr Sarah Pain from the School of Agriculture and Environment presented the senior awards to:
- 1st: Team 13, Morrinsville College – Holly Baker, Jakob Byers, Hunter Johnston and Tyla Gotti with 141.5 points
- 2nd: Team 21, Morrinsville College – Hamish Dewhirst, Lachlan Bill, Mathew Gordon and Rhys Owen with 140 points
- 3rd: Team 5, Mt Albert Grammer School – Abby Cook, Maddy Cameron, Hanna Smith and Isla Stephenson with 136.5 points
Donald’s Farm Manager Sam Waugh presented the Junior Award – this year, only 1st place was awarded as there were only three junior teams entered in the competition:
- 1st: Team 12 from Mt. Albert Grammer won: Elle Musson, Zoe Mallett, Olivia D’Rose and Kara Slessor.
NZ Rural Games and Agri Futures Founder Steve Hollander presented the Gumboot Throwing prizes:
- Junior Girl: Casey Smith of Te Awamutu College with a 16m throw
- Junior Boy: Charlie Hadj Blaha from Morrinsville College with a 22metre throw
- Senior Girl: Jorjaina Mathieson of Te Awamutu College with a throw of 24m
- Senior Boy: Ethan Sands from Pukekohe High School with a throw of 33 metres
Auckland Clash of the Colleges – Brought to You by Massey University is a fast-paced, Amazing Race-style competition, Clash of the Colleges gives students hands-on experience across various areas of the rural sector. In teams of four, students will complete 16 interactive modules in 90 minutes, all led by industry experts and local Young Farmer Club members. Students from Mt Albert Grammar School, St Cuthberts College, Onewhero Area School, Pukekohe High School, Te Awamutu College, Morrinsville College, and two teams of year 13 Primary ITO students competed in the 2025 event.
Modules include:
- Digestion Identification – Massey University
- Drenching – Primary ITO
- Handpiece Setup – Nurture Farming
- ATV Tyre Change – Counties Honda
- Irrigation – Donald’s Farm
- Gumboot Throw – NZBTA
- Break Fencing – Gallaghers
- Tree Identification – Discover Forestry
- Artificial Insemination – Samen
- Wool and Breed ID – Vertical Horizons
- CPR – St Johns
- Primary Equipment ID – Primary ITO
- Fencing Tie-off: Termination – FCANZ
- Sulky Race with NZ Harness Racing
- Hobby Horse Racing with Thoroughbred Racing
Clash of the Colleges is MC’d by social media agri educator Tangaroa Walker from Farm4Life and is an exciting opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and connect with professionals in the rural sector.
Donald’s Farm is a dairy farm owned by NZ Young Farmers and managed by Sam Waugh. In addition to being a farming operation, it is also an outdoor agricultural learning centre that inspires younger generations to engage with the agricultural industries.
More Clashes to come:
Canterbury Clash of the Colleges at the Ashburton A&P Show on Friday October 31st.
Otago Southland Clash of the Colleges at Telford on Friday September 5th
