Waiuku – 50:50 Herd-Owning Sharemilker Opportunity

A productive, well-established Waiuku dairy farm | System 4 | approx. 200,000 kgMS target | 480-500 cows peak

The Farm Owner is seeking expressions of interest from an experienced, financially capable, and values-aligned 50:50 herd-owning sharemilker to operate the farm under a clear, performance-focused agreement. Environmental stewardship is an important part of the Farm Owner’s business, and the successful applicant will share this commitment.

This is an attractive opportunity for a progressive operator who wants genuine responsibility for day-to-day farm performance, staff leadership, animal welfare, pasture utilisation, and farm presentation, working with an owner who values open communication and regular business reviews.

The Opportunity

·        Agreement structure: 50:50 herd-owning sharemilking arrangement, with terms to be discussed with shortlisted applicants.

·        Effective milking platform of approximately 152 ha, including a 38 ha lease block.

·        DairyNZ System 3-4, with a production target of approximately 200,000 kgMS per season.

·        Peak herd of around 500 cows in milk, owned and managed by the sharemilker, with a minimum of three FTEs available each season and staff employment and training records maintained by the sharemilker.

·        Calving commences 1 August, with a nine-week mating period and a minimum of three weeks of artificial breeding.

·        A farm operating policy and responsibility matrix, setting out Farm Owner and sharemilker responsibilities and cost sharing, will be provided to support clear expectations before signing, at handover, and in regular reviews.

About the Farm

A well-developed Waiuku dairy farm that maximises home-grown pasture and crops, supported by conserved feed, covered feed storage, and purchased feed where economic.

Cows are wintered on a covered feed pad to protect soils, and purpose-built calf rearing facilities support an efficient spring calving.

The farm has a modern effluent management system, with nutrient inputs managed within environmental limits.

Housing: two houses are available for the sharemilker and staff, plus single quarters for temporary staff.

Performance Standards

·        Home-grown pasture and crops consumed: target of 14.0 t DM/ha, with improvement each season.

·        Body condition: above 4.5 on 1 June; 5.0 (cows) and 5.5 (heifers and three-year-olds) at the planned start of calving.

·        Somatic cell count below 150,000 cells/ml and an empty cow rate of 10% or lower.

·        Maintain Co-operative Difference requirements, improve Milk Quality Excellence performance, and meet QCONZ inspection standards.

·        Monthly farm walks supported by digital pasture measurement, and a quarterly operations review with the farm consultant and Farm Owner.

·        Farm presented as an exemplar of New Zealand dairy farming.

Who We Are Looking For

·        Proven dairy farming capability and a strong record in production, pasture management, animal welfare, staff leadership, and compliance.

·        Financial strength and the ability to supply and manage a suitable herd under a 50:50 herd-owning arrangement.

·        A practical, proactive operator who promptly identifies and resolves fencing, water, animal health, infrastructure, and staff matters.

·        Excellent communication, record-keeping, health and safety, employment, environmental, and dairy company compliance practices.

·        Ability to build and lead a trained team, with current employment records, farm induction, and documented health and safety procedures.

·        Willingness to work constructively with the Farm Owner, farm adviser, service providers, contractors, and dairy company representatives.

Applications and Due Diligence

Applicants should provide a current CV, farming history, herd ownership details, a financial summary or accountant-supported evidence of capacity, referees, proposed operating approach, staffing plan, housing requirements, and any questions about the farm system or agreement structure.

Shortlisted applicants should expect a formal due diligence process covering financial capability, farming performance, references, values alignment, staffing model, compliance capability, and fit with the farm system and operating policy.

Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or residents with the legal right to live and work in New Zealand. Applications from candidates who do not hold this right cannot be considered.