From Cheese to Confectionery: A Business Learning Adventure

As part of their learning journey the Level 2 Commerce students embarked on an insightful field trip, starting with a visit to Evansdale Cheese Factory. Students were fascinated by the factory museum, where they saw and worked on traditional cheese-making equipment. They had the privilege of hearing from Pablo who shared valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of running a small business in New Zealand, emphasizing the importance of passion, adaptability, and strong leadership in a competitive market. Additionally, he explained that caring for employees was paramount for business success. 

Our next stop was the Rainbow Confectionery Limited factory shop where students purchased a range of locally made sweets. Sweets have been made on the site since 1949 and they currently produce over 200 varieties. Such an iconic Kiwi company! 

After lunch, we visited Totara Estate just south of Oamaru. Tōtara Estate, managed by Heritage New Zealand, is the historic birthplace of New Zealand’s frozen meat export industry. Students enjoyed learning the history and then walking around the 19th-century farm’s restored buildings, displays. A true insight into the pioneering spirit that helped shape New Zealand’s export economy. 

Student feedback was positive, and the students developed knowledge about early commerce in the Otago/North Otago area, as well as successful business insights.