National Party leader Christopher Luxon joked as he was welcomed at the historic Stone House at Southern Institute of Technology’s (SIT) Telford campus in Balclutha yesterday.
Mr Luxon was accompanied by National’s candidate for Taieri Matthew French (right) and they were taken on a one-hour tour led by Telford campus manager Daniel Maize (left) to view Telford’s student accommodation and sheep and beef, equine and engineering training facilities.
SIT head of faculty Sally Dobbs said it was a highlight having Mr Luxon visiting the campus.
"It’s great to profile this respected vocational school on his travels.
"We hope he goes away loving this place and wanting to sustain it into the future for the food and fibre training sector," she said.
Mr Luxon spoke to staff and students and watched certificate of agriculture sheepdog trainees muster sheep.
He did not speak to media. Mr Luxon was scheduled to head to Invercargill last night where he has a series of engagements today.
SIT’s zero-fees scheme is being retained next year, for students residing in or near their campuses.
