Herd Manager Dairy Farm (South Waikato)

$33.56 - $35.05 hourly

Job Description

Herd Manager Position – Dairy Farm (South Waikato)

$33.56 – $35.05 | Minimum 30 hours/week guaranteed

We are currently seeking a motivated and hardworking Herd Manager to join our team on a well-run 972 ha dairy farm located in the Waotu area, just a 10–15 minute drive from Putaruru, Waikato.

Our operation consists of five dairy units using both Herringbone and Rotary sheds, with twice-daily milking from June to Christmas and once-a-day milking through to May.

About the Role

We’re looking for an individual with practical experience and a proactive attitude, who will be responsible for daily milking, managing animal health including mastitis, pasture management, shed operations and daily farm duties.

Key Responsibilities

  • Milking cows confidently through Rotary or Herringbone sheds

  • Identifying and treating mastitis and other common animal health issues

  • Setting up paddocks and managing pasture accurately

  • Operating motorbikes, 4-wheelers, and tractors for livestock feeding and general duties

  • Performing farm maintenance and repair work as required

Requirements

To be successful in this role, you must:

  • Have at least 12 months of full-time dairy farming experience

  • Be confident in milking, livestock health management, and pasture planning

  • Be experienced with farm machinery and equipment

  • Be physically fit and capable of active farm work

  • Have a clean police record and no history of drug or alcohol issues

  • Be eligible to work in New Zealand (residency or current work visa)

  • Indicate your nationality and current location in your application

  • Provide two written reference letters from previous employers

Preferred Qualifications

  • Enrolled in or completed Primary ITO Level 3 or 4 (or similar qualification)

  • Keen to continue training – support for further education is available

What We Value

We’re looking for team players who are:

  • Honest and reliable

  • Safety-conscious and follow health and safety protocols

  • Passionate about farming and always looking to improve

Pay & Hours

  • Minimum 30 hours per week guaranteed

  • Hourly rate: $33.56 – $33.72

How to Apply

To apply for one of these two roles, please send:

  • Your CV

  • Your nationality and current place of residence

  • Two written reference letters from past employers

We look forward to hearing from enthusiastic candidates ready to take the next step in their dairying career.

Farm Size (ha)

972

Peak Herd Size (cows)

2485

Typical On-farm Staff

20

Position Start Date

03/08/2026

Accommodation available

On farm shared house available to rent

Hour Type

season

Average Hours Per week

40.5

Roster

Single rotation - 6 Days on / 1 day Off

Remuneration paid by

Hourly / Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Yearly