FAQs

Q. How do I become a farmer in New Zealand?

A. Many people who choose to work on a dairy farm want to own their own farm one day. The route to farm ownership in New Zealand is often through sharemilking.

Some people remain sharemilkers throughout their careers, running very successful and sometimes quite large businesses (some sharemilkers have herds of 1000 or more cows and employ several staff).

Others go on to buy their own farms and may, in time, themselves bring a sharemilker into the business. Sharemilking thus allows younger dairy farmers to gain a stake in the industry and to use their skills to build their assets. It also allows farm owners to reduce their active involvement in dairying as they get older or their life circumstances change.

Q. What is share milking?

A. The sharemilking system is quite unique to New Zealand. About 40% of our dairy farms operate using the structure of sharemilking. There are two types of sharemilkers. Variable order sharemilkers, where the sharemilker pays a percentage of the costs, and receives a percentage of the income, and 50% sharemilkers, where the sharemilkers own part or all of the herd, and profits are shared with the owner of the dairy farm. This means a sharemilker can often start with a fairly small investment and can build up assets because he or she shares in the profits and gains the benefits of his or her hard work and skill.

Q. How do I apply for a New Zealand work visa?

A. Obtain a job offer from a New Zealand employer and then apply for a Work Visa through your applicable New Zealand High Commission. Once settled in New Zealand, you can then apply for Residency if you plan to stay more permanently. A specialist recruitment agency such as Greener Horizons will help you obtain a job offer and help you apply for a work visa. Minimum Requirements for work visas:

Assistant Herd Manager - National Certificate Level 2 or above in agriculture AND/OR two years' experience.
Herd Manager - National Certificate Level 2 or above in agriculture AND two years' experience.
Dairy Farm Manager - National Certificate in Agriculture Level 4 AND a minimum of three years relevant experience.

Q. What are the working conditions like on a NZ farm?

A. Some things to consider when working on a farm:

Seasonality
Most farmers work on a 1st June until 31st May period, and focus on a season’s activity i.e. winter, spring, summer and autumn. There are two main farm types:

Winter milk supply farms supply milk all year round, but milk fewer cows at any one time
Seasonal supply farms peak periods are calving and mating (July to December)

Each month brings a new focus on a farms management which tends to be repeated every season.

Working Outside
Many jobs have to be done regardless of the weather, so farmers have to work in the wind, rain or sunshine. Many people try to schedule wet day jobs outside peak periods of work. Farmers manage the soils, water, pastures and fertiliser to grow as much grass as possible.

Working with Animals
All cows must be milked each day, and all stock must be fed and looked after each day. Farmers must monitor the health of their cows and other stock, and carry out preventative measures i.e. drenching. They also do other activities such as weighing and tagging. To stay in the milking herd, a cow must get “in calf” and then “calve” each season. Mating and calving are the most important times on a farm.

Working with Machinery
Farmers have to maintain and clean their milking machines. Farmers need to operate and maintain motorbikes, tractors and other implements. Some larger farms employ specialist operators for specialist farm implements.

Working with People
Many farmers employ staff, and need to be able to communicate well, give and understand clear instructions. They also meet with a large variety of people in a working day e.g. vet, farm consultant. To progress onto larger farm operations, farmers must develop excellent people management skills.

Accommodation
Farmers usually live on the farm, and housing is normally provided as part of peoples packages, and its value needs to be recognised.

Q. Are there any part time roles available on the farm?

A. The main farming part-time roles include: Relief Milking, Milk harvesting and calf rearing. There may be other part time opportunities available on farm during different times in the year, for example tractor driving and fencing roles.

Q. Is there any further farming education available?

A. Once you have secured a place in the industry it is a great idea to enhance your skills and knowledge base by taking advantage of the fantastic opportunities that the industry has to offer. Consider furthering your education by doing some extra courses or take advantage of the seminars that are advertised through your local community. Participate in discussion groups or enter one of the many farming competitions that are available.

There are groups that you can join to make farming more enjoyable, both in a social sense but also for you to contribute back to the dairying community. Federated Farmers, Young Farmers, the Network for Women in Dairying and the New Zealand Large Herds' Association are some examples.

To find out more about the organisations that you can support within the industry go to our links section.

Q. What has Southland got to offer me and my family?

A wide range of employment opportunities in key sectors
A superb lifestyle with access to modern, urban amenities along with some of New Zealand’s most untouched and beautiful wilderness
A community focus where people come first
Excellent educational facilities – from pre-school through to tertiary
An ideal place to bring up children – safe, clean and child-friendly
An affordable lifestyle with competitive salaries and real estate to suit all budgets
A region famed for its friendly people and warm southern welcome

Q. How many cows will I be milking?

A: Herds range in size from 100 – 2000 with the average herd size being about 500. We work mostly with farmers with herds of 350 to 900 cows employing 1 to 4 staff members. Most farms operate with 1 labour unit to 150 – 200 cows.

Q. What sort of shed will I be milking in?

A: This will depend on the farm with about half the farms having herringbone sheds (20 - 46 aside) and the other half rotaries (20 -80 bail).

Q. How long do milking take?

A: This depends on the size of the herd and the size of the cowshed! Most farms milk twice a day from 4.30am or 5.30am till 8am, and then again in the afternoon from 2.30pm or 3.30pm to 6pm.

Q. What clothes do I need to bring for work?

A: We will provide you with a set of wet weather gear, overalls and gumboots, so you will need shirts, shorts, warm tops, socks and beanie. Good second hand clothes suitable for working in are available at very affordable prices from The Salvation Army!

Q. How much money should I bring with me?

A: We will provide free board and lodging to you during the two weeks of training before you start your job, but you will need enough money to purchase food and to pay for electricity, heating and entertainment before you receive your first paycheck. We would recommend a minimum of $500. You can buy a basic run-around car for $500 - $1000, and petrol costs about $1.65/l. Some accommodation will come fully furnished, but if you need to buy the basics, you can purchase a second-hand bed for $200, a lounge suite for $400, and cutlery and crockery for $50. We will let you know what is provided before you come out!

Q. How will I be paid?

A: When you arrive we will help you set up a bank account. You will be paid fortnightly into your bank account.

Q. How much will I be paid?

A: You will be paid a minimum of $28000 for 2400 hours of work, plus money to cover your accommodation cost, which will vary from $2600 - $13000 depending on the standard of accommodation. If you work over these annual hours, you will be paid at $15/additional hour.

Q. What can I expect to earn after my first year?

A: If you have a good reference from us and your employer you can expect a minimum salary of $32000. A herd manager will be paid $35000 - $42000, a manager $40000 - $80000. If you do well and there is not a higher position available on the farm, then we can help you find one with another good employer.

Q. How many hours can I expect to work a week?

A: Hours are longest in spring with 50 -75 hours per week and shortest in autumn and winter with 20 – 50 hours per week.

Q. What training will I receive?

A: We will provide you with basic training in milk harvesting, tractor driving, ATV use, chemical handling, pasture management and budgeting. We will also start you on an Agricultural course to help you on the way to achieving a New Zealand Qualification in Agriculture, and will let you know of learning opportunities such as seminars and discussion groups through the year.

Q. What support will I have once on farm?

A: We will be your point of contact if you have problems, and will provide you with a list of fellow countryman working through us in your area. We will also introduce you to the Young Farmers Club – for social activities.

Q. Will I be able to attend church?

A: This will depend on the farm, but most employers will allow you to go to church between milkings or after milking in the evening. There will always be a church within 1 hour.

Q. What rosters can I expect to work?

A: This varies from farm to farm with a minimum of 6 days on and 1 day off, or 12 days on and 2 days off. Other common rosters are 8 and 2; 11 and 3 and 6 and 2.

Q. How much annual leave will I get a year?

A: You are entitled to 4 weeks annual leave after 1 year, and 11 public holidays. Public holidays may however be included in the roster system if you have more than 2 days off a fortnight!

Q. What are the key skills I need to master in the first year?

A: Milk harvesting, mastitis detection and treatment, milking plant cleaning and maintenance, treatment recording, stockmanship, pasture management, time management and communication.

Q: Can I take my family with me if I work in NZ?

A: Yes! Your partner can apply for an open work visa for the same duration as your visa. Your partner will be able to do any work under this visa while she is in NZ. Your children can come too!

Q: Is there a Placement Fee?

A: NO, but we do charge a service fee for acting as your agent in your work visa application, providing pre-employment training and orientation with food and accommodation, assessment of your employment conditions, and food and bedding when you go to the farm.

Q: Is their a cost if I do not complete a 1 year contract with GHW?

A: Yes, if you are an overseas worker then you will have to re-imberse GHW $2,000 which will help towards covering our costs to recruit, orientate and train another employee for the farmer.

Q: Can I change from farm to farm through the season?

A: No, your contract will be on one farm for 12 months. After this time you will be free to apply for a position on another farm!

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