When Silver Fern Farms employees and Otago Polytechnic graduates Ricky Fife & Susan Dunn reflect on the past year, they see more than textbooks, deadlines, and long hours of writing.

The graduates see a journey that challenged them, strengthened them, and ultimately transformed how they view themselves and their careers.

Their Bachelor of Applied Management studies began in mid-2024 when Silver Fern Farms launched a new opportunity for Māori staff to gain formal qualifications through Otago Polytechnic’s Capable Māori programme.

For Ricky Fife - Kaiarataki - Te Ara Huri (Our Turning Pathway / Māori development) at Silver Fern Farms - the programme aligned perfectly with the company’s goals of providing meaningful opportunities for growth among Māori employees.

“We have 6,000 to 7,000 workers across the country at the peak of the season”, says Ricky.

“And around 30% of those identify as Māori, with the vast majority sitting within the frontline of our organization.”

“So how do we create an opportunity for Māori to be able to develop skill and capability for not only their enduring value, but the enduring value of the organisation as well?”

Susan Dunn, who works in Sales for the North American market, has been with Silver Fern Farms for 11 years.  New to tertiary study, she was encouraged by her manager to apply for the programme and given the flexibility to block out time to focus on study.

“Because it came hand in hand with him really pushing me to take this opportunity, he was aware that I was going to need time out to be able to do that,” she says.

Silver Fern Farms further supported the learners – including Christchurch based colleague Toni-Amanda Yellowlees – by fully sponsoring their study costs. In person wānanga and workshops were also supported by the business.

Matt Carter, Chief People Officer at Silver Fern Farms, says supporting employee development benefits both people and the company.

“Work shouldn’t just be about the service people provide to an organisation, but should also be a place where people can grow, develop and build their future capability.”

Along with the remote style of work-based learning, the cohort were able to complete their studies through Capable Māori (a rōpū of Otago Polytechnic’s Capable NZ programme) which creates opportunities for students to work within Iwi Māori cohorts.

Working with a Māori facilitator, a tailored Kaupapa Māori approach is delivered, which recognises work experience as valuable learning. Students create a reflective portfolio which showcases their professional skills, leadership, and critical thinking.

Matt says that builds a learning environment where their staff can succeed as Māori while building professional capability.

“Supporting culturally grounded learning aligns strongly with our broader commitment to enriching people’s lives and ensuring our workforce feels valued, supported, and empowered to grow”, he says.

Ricky agrees that Capable NZ’s Kaupapa Māori approach dovetailed well with the organisation's aims.

“Silver Fern Farms’ aspiration is to upskill Māori, to provide qualifications for Māori, so they're set up for career aspirations.”

And the students credit their Capable Māori facilitator, Kylie Ellis, with helping guide them through the toughest patches.

“She would give you all the tools and be there to support and encourage you”, says Susan.

“But in the end it's up to you. You're the only one that can get yourself across the finish line.”

Silver Fern Farms says the experience of working with the Capable Māori team at Otago Polytechnic has been excellent and is a partnership with strong future potential.

“They created an environment where our learners felt genuinely valued, supported, and encouraged our graduates throughout their study journey,” say Matt.

“That level of care and support made a real difference to their success.”

And for Susan, being able to complete the qualification through her workplace without interrupting day to day operations has reinforced her confidence and sense of achievement.

“It's been a fantastic opportunity to have completed it,” she says.

Ricky believes the whole journey was more than just the skills he learnt.

“It's the tohu that comes away with it as well,” he says.

“Like, it's a badge of honour for the rest of your life. You're never going to forget what you had to go through to get this qualification.”