We are looking for an experienced dairy farm manager to take full responsibility for a well-established 700-cow autumn calving operation near Matauri Bay, Northland.
This is a genuine stand-alone management role for someone who takes pride in running a tidy, high-performing farm, leads staff well, and understands the balance between pasture performance, cow condition, infrastructure, and people.
The farm is 370ha effective milking platform, Friesian herd, producing approximately 290,000kgMS under a full autumn calving with winter milk contract. No spring calving.
The successful applicant will report directly to the CEO, with support from the Operations Managers and leadership team, and lead an established team of three staff. This role offers a high level of autonomy and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to system decisions and ongoing farm performance.
Infrastructure and support systems are excellent and include:
* Modern 54-bale rotary (5 years old)
* Halter system and automatic drafting
* Herd homes
* Quality late-model machinery
* Well-maintained infrastructure throughout
* Young stock grazed off farm
* System 4 operation
We are looking for someone who:
* Has a minimum of 5 years’ NZ dairy farm management experience
* Is a strong pasture manager
* Can lead staff calmly and effectively
* Communicates clearly and professionally
* Has a proven history of performance and stockmanship
* Takes ownership of outcomes without needing constant oversight
* Understands the demands and opportunities of winter milk systems
Accommodation is a high-quality executive-style four-bedroom home located approximately five minutes from Matauri Bay.
This role will suit someone who enjoys running a good farm properly — without drama, micromanagement, or unnecessary complexity, with the willingness to embrace technology.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand and hold a current driver licence.
Pre-employment drug testing, MOJ, and reference checks will form part of the recruitment process.
Remuneration package will reflect experience and capability.
Applications close the 31st of July 2026, inquiries can be made in confidence to [email protected]
Mid North Farms Ltd (MNF) trades as Mangakahia Valley Dairies Trust (MVDT) and Matauri Bay DairiesTrust (MBDT) and operate an integrated livestock farming business in Northland. We operate under a corporate structure
Our pasture-based livestock farming business operates four spring dairy farms (south of Kaikohe), an autumn dairy farm (south of Matauri Bay), a 960-place purpose built calf rearing unit, a dairy support unit and a beef finishing unit. We raise 2400 calves seasonally, milking 2600 cows between our dairy farms & finish 2000 beef cattle, over an effective area of 2600 hectares.
Our farm managers run their individual farms as ‘their own business, inside our business’ making them very skilled at what they do. Our team of 32 people have roles on and off farm which all contribute toward supporting the farm managers to produce the highest milk yields and beef production possible.