After a 20+year partnership, Public Trust’s long-serving sharemilkers are moving on, creating a rare opportunity for a new 50:50 sharemilker.
We’re looking for a high-performing sharemilker to take over the well-established Bonner dairy farm from 1 June 2027.
Public Trust oversees the dairy farm on behalf of the Estate of E A Bonner, a perpetual charitable trust established 60 years ago to provide net income to Blind Low Vision NZ.
About the farm
• 160 July-calving cows, located 5 minutes from Stratford township
• 61 ha total, 56 ha effective milking platform on high-fertility ash and silt loam soils
• 16-bail herringbone shed
• Production has averaged 58,700 kgMS over the past three seasons
• System 3 operation, buying in approx. 60 t PKE, 50 bales of silage and 40 bales of hay each season
About you
You’ll bring strong all-round farming knowledge, excellent pasture management skills and a proven ability to make sound decisions. You’ll be honest, reliable and hardworking, with the initiative to get on with the job.
You will also be a strong communicator who can build effective working relationships with the Public Trust representative and the farm consultant, and take pride in the farm, house and surrounding property.
Working together on health and safety
The sharemilker leads health and safety on the farm and is responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.
You will be expected to consult, cooperate and coordinate with Public Trust on health and safety matters. You will be responsible for reporting incidents, near misses and notifiable events, and acting on any health and safety issues identified.
Consistent with best practice, Public Trust conducts audits of all its sites to verify health and safety practices. Following an audit, we will provide you with feedback and any requirements or recommendations for improvement.
Please apply online with a cover letter, and detailed CV which includes at least two of your current or most recent employer referees.
You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident to apply