Telford Rural Polytechnic is considering setting up an agricultural course on Great Barrier Island, in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland.
Telford academic director Lynne Johnstone visited the Orama Christian Community on Great Barrier Island last week to discuss working with the Orama Trust to set up an agriculture course on the island next year.
Telford could run a full-time course for students from the greater Auckland area for a Certificate in Agriculture course.
The Orama Trust was a complex of farmlets and could provide hostel-style accommodation for up to 170 people, she said.
Telford chief executive Jonathan Walmisley said a business case would be put to the Telford senior management team in the next few weeks to see if the venture was viable.
It would also be dependent on demand from 12 or more students, and a suitable tutor, he said.
Mrs Johnstone said Telford was not planning on taking over the running of the farms, which would remain in Orama's management, but Telford students would be rotated through the trust's farmlets and other neighbouring farms to give them practical experience.
