1982

Figure 16 Henare Swann on left and students

Gary Quinn joins the Tairāwhiti Community College as a horticulture tutor in September 1982. A 4.5 hectares site in Upper Stout Street becomes available and Tairāwhiti  Community College takes over this site. HOD, Ken Wong, David Brook and Gary plan and design what buildings are needed. Over the Christmas holidays Gary draws up a plan for an operational horticulture unit and building technician, Theo Broeke and carpentry students begin the building development. Horticulture and agriculture classes begin on site in 1983. The section becomes known as the Rural Studies Unit (RSU).

A week long Māori language intensive course is held at Manutuke and taught by Henare Swann.

Students are able to study for New Zealand Certificates in Commerce, Data Processing, Engineering, Forestry, Science and Statistics.