How to find agriculture jobs in New Zealand

Agriculture is a huge industry and there are countless career paths that someone new to the industry should consider. To help you make a decision we’ve narrowed your options down to a few of the most popular positions:

Agricultural scientists study animals, soils and crops to help improve farm productivity and prevent pests or diseases. Typically, you’ll need to complete a Bachelor of Science degree or similar, then a doctorate degree in agricultural science or biochemistry to get an entry level position. Pay and job prospects are very good once you’re qualified.

If you’re looking for a foot in the door of the agricultural industry, becoming a farm assistant is a great way to start. This is a diverse role where you’ll be required to help farmers with a wide variety of tasks, which could include caring for livestock, operating farm vehicles and machinery, sorting and packing animal products and caring for crops. It’s hard work, but your employer may provide accommodation and cover your bills, along with valuable experience, which can help you progress in the industry. 

There are no qualifications necessary to become a farm assistant, but there are several  courses and apprenticeships you could do to make it easier to get a job, including:

• A New Zealand apprenticeship in agriculture: where you’re paid to work and learn on a real farm. 

• A farm cadetship: these are courses hosted at working farms where a group of students is put through a training course that gets them ready for the job. Graduate cadets are often in high demand in the industry. 

• Level 3-5 courses in agriculture: or short courses at polytechnics can also help aspiring farmers without experience to get a start. 

Once you’ve got experience as a farm assistant, your options are open. You could progress and become a farm manager, a share milker, or specialise in a specific area of farming. 

Agricultural and horticultural consultants help farmers with their businesses and their land. They may advise them on how to improve their systems or profitability, manage pests and diseases, help with budgets and cashflow, or assist with compliance issues. Unlike agricultural scientists, they are more focused on the practical side of farming, including business management. 

To get an entry level position as an agricultural consultant you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in one of the following:

• agricultural or horticultural science

• commerce

• agribusiness

• environmental science.

Experience on a farm of any kind may also help you get your foot in the door. 

Love planting and growing things? This may be the perfect job. As a crop manager you’ll manage the growth of crops, cultivate land, organise harvesting and irrigation, buy seed and fertiliser and oversee farmers and workers. 

This is a senior position that’s usually only available for people with experience, but completing a qualification or degree in horticulture will help you get started. Another way to enter the industry is to apply to work as a crop farmer or harvester – these roles require much less skill and experience and they’re more readily available. They may be hard work, but once you’ve got the experience moving to a more senior position is possible.

Farmers need a team of professionals to help them do their jobs. Instead of working specifically on a farm, you could consider one of these roles – you may be on the farm regularly, and you’ll work with farmers:

• Vets and vet nurses: if you live in a rural area a large portion of your work may be with farm animals, if you’re a vet or vet nurse. 

• Sales people: the brands that sell farm equipment, fertiliser and other essentials need field reps to advise clients which products may best suit them, and to negotiate sales. These roles are sales and relationship based but you may spend plenty of time on farms and need a good knowledge of agricultural practice. 

• Packhouse workers: these guys pack produce during harvest season. It’s hard work, but there’s good demand for roles and seasonal jobs can lead to permanent employment.