Dairy Farm Jobs in New Zealand with Visa Sponsorship 2025, Complete Guide
Are you interested in working on a dairy farm in a beautiful country with a thriving agricultural industry?
Look no further than New Zealand! With its beautiful landscapes, friendly communities, and high demand for skilled dairy farm workers, New Zealand is an ideal destination for those seeking a new adventure and a rewarding career.
New Zealand’s world-renowned dairy industry produces over 20 million liters of milk annually. However, the industry is facing a significant labor shortage, creating a huge demand for skilled dairy farm workers from around the globe. According to DairyNZ, the industry’s representative body, New Zealand’s dairy sector will need an additional 1,000 workers by 2025.
This shortage of workers opens the door for you – not just to a job, but to a fresh start. With competitive pay, excellent working conditions, and a potential path to permanent residency, dairy farm jobs in New Zealand are a golden opportunity.
Why the Dairy Industry in New Zealand Needs Workers
New Zealand’s dairy industry is facing a growing demand for skilled workers. According to a Ministry for Primary Industries report, the industry’s labor shortage is expected to worsen in the coming years, driven by factors such as an aging workforce and a lack of skilled workers.
Why Is This Happening?
- Not Enough Local Workers: The dairy industry’s labor shortage is partly due to a lack of local workers. Many young New Zealanders pursue careers in other sectors, leaving a gap in the labor market.
- Industry Growth: New Zealand’s dairy industry is growing rapidly, driven by increasing demand for dairy products from countries such as China and the United States. This growth has created a need for more skilled workers.
- Great Place to Live: New Zealand is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world. Its stunning natural beauty, friendly communities, and high standard of living make it an attractive destination for workers from around the globe.
Jobs You Can Get in the Dairy Industry
Here are some roles available in the dairy industry based on your experience:
Farm Assistant
i. Ideal for beginners
ii. Tasks include milking cows, feeding animals, and maintaining farm equipment
iii. Earn NZD 45,000 – $60,000 (approximately USD 28,000 – $38,000) per year
iv. Perks: On-farm accommodation, meals, and training provided
Herd Manager
i. For those with some experience
ii. Responsibilities: Oversee herd health, manage milking operations, and supervise farm staff
iii. Earn NZD 70,000 – $100,000 (approximately USD 45,000 – $65,000) per year
Farm Manager
i. For experienced professionals
ii. Oversee entire farm operations, including staff management, budgeting, and strategic planning
iii. Earn NZD 100,000 – $150,000 (approximately USD 65,000 – $95,000) per year
How to Get a Visa to Work in New Zealand
New Zealand offers several visa options for dairy farm workers:
Essential Skills Work Visa
i. Requires a job offer from a New Zealand employer
ii. Allows you to work in New Zealand for up to 3 years
iii. Pathway to residency after 2 years
Regional Seasonal Employer (RSE) Visa
i. For workers who want to work in the dairy industry for a shorter period (up to 7 months)
ii. Allows you to work for a specific employer in a specific region
Where to Find Dairy Farm Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
Here are some trusted platforms to find dairy farm jobs with visa sponsorship:
Official Job Websites
i. New Zealand Dairy Careers: A website dedicated to dairy farm jobs in New Zealand
ii. Trade Me Jobs: A popular job search website in New Zealand
iii. Seek: A well-established job search platform in New Zealand
Recruitment Agencies
i. Dairy Farm Jobs NZ: A recruitment agency specializing in dairy farm jobs
ii. Agricultural Recruitment Specialists: A recruitment agency with expertise in agricultural jobs
Major Employers
i. Fonterra: A leading dairy company in New Zealand
ii. Synlait: A major dairy processor in New Zealand
iii. Westland Milk Products: A dairy cooperative in New Zealand
Skills You Need for Dairy Farm Jobs
To succeed in a dairy farm job, you’ll need:
Key Skills
i. Physical fitness and ability to work outdoors
ii. Basic knowledge of dairy farming practices
iii. Ability to work well in a team
iv. Good communication skills
v. AbilityAbility to follow instructions and take initiative
Language Skills
You’ll need to understand English well, with an IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent.
Here are some key points to consider when looking for dairy farm jobs in New Zealand with visa sponsorship:
Types of Jobs Available
- Farm Assistant: Ideal for beginners, tasks include milking cows, feeding animals, and maintaining farm equipment—salary: NZD $45,000 – $60,000 per year ¹.
- Herd Manager: For those with some experience, responsibilities include overseeing herd health, managing milking operations, and supervising farm staff—salary: NZD 70,000 – $100,000 per year.
- Farm Manager: For experienced professionals overseeing farm operations, including staff management, budgeting, and strategic planning. Salary: NZD 100,000 – $150,000 per year.
Visa Sponsorship
New Zealand offers several visa options for dairy farm workers, including:
- Essential Skills Work Visa: Requires a job offer from a New Zealand employer, allows you to work in New Zealand for up to 3 years, and provides a pathway to residency after 2 years.
- Regional Seasonal Employer (RSE) Visa: This is for workers who want to work in the dairy industry for a shorter period (up to 7 months).
Where to Find Jobs
You can find dairy farm jobs with visa sponsorship on websites like:
- SEEK: A popular job search website in New Zealand with over 127 dairy farm job listings.
- New Zealand Dairy Careers: A website dedicated to dairy farm jobs in New Zealand.
- Trade Me Jobs: A well-established job search platform in New Zealand.
Skills Required
To succeed in a dairy farm job, you’ll need:
- Physical fitness and ability to work outdoors
- Basic knowledge of dairy farming practices
- Ability to work well in a team
- Good communication skills
- Ability to follow instructions and take initiative
Dairy farm jobs in New Zealand offer competitive salaries and benefits. Here are some job openings:
- Farm Assistant: NZD 45,000 – $60,000 per yasks, including milking cows, feeding animals, and maintaining farm equipment ¹.
- Herd Manager: NZD 70,000 – $100,000 per year, overseeing herd health, managing milking operations, and supervising farm staff.
- Farm Manager: NZD 100,000 – $150,000 annually, overseeing entire farm operations, including staff management, budgeting, and strategic planning.
- Tractor Driver/Experienced Farm Hand: NZD 100,000 – $120,000 per year, working with a family-owned business in Whangarei ².
- Head of Farming – Dairy Support & Grazing: a unique opportunity to join a Christchurch team with a competitive salary package ².
You can find these job openings and more on websites like SEEK, which lists over 127 dairy farm jobs in New Zealand.
