Farm Au Pair
Most participants on our Farm Au Pair Program love nature, the outdoors, and rural life. Some have grown up on farms or around horses, while others are simply looking for a unique opportunity to experience life with a Kiwi farming family while working with children.
Our host families come from a wide range of farming backgrounds, including horse properties, dairy farms, sheep and beef farms, vineyards, alpaca farms, and guest farms. As farming families are often very busy, your main role is to support the family by helping care for the children and assisting with day to day household tasks. Depending on the host family and your experience, there may also be opportunities to help with light farm duties or assist with the animals.
For participants with previous horse experience, some placements may include helping care for horses and, in certain cases, the opportunity for recreational riding once daily responsibilities have been completed.
Flexibility is important, as no two days are the same on a farm. This program is ideal for participants who have previous childcare experience and an interest in farming, horses, rural living, or simply a desire to experience a different way of life away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Living with a farming family offers a unique insight into rural New Zealand, allowing you to become part of the family, learn about the Kiwi culture and contribute to daily life.
The tasks of a Farm Au Pair will vary depending on the needs of your host family and will include morning and afternoon work, as well as some evenings and weekends. Typical duties will include;
- Day-care / school / kindy runs
- Some in-home care for younger children
- Taking children to playdates and other extra-curricular activities
- Helping older children with homework
- Preparing and cooking food
- Age-appropriate games and playtime
- Bath time
- Helping with housework
- Some ‘baby-sitting’ hours
- Other help around the farm
- Other help around the farmhouse
- While school aged children are at school the farm Au Pair typically helps around the house with cleaning, food shopping, washing and baking. Most Farm Au Pairs also get the opportunity to help with some farm duties such as collecting eggs, feeding animals, gardening and maintaining the veggie garden.
- For those with horse experience there may also be some help with the horses. This may include feeding horses, cleaning the stables, grooming the horses. There may also be opportunity to ride but this will be at the discretion of your host family.
- Farm Au Pairs are also required to help with their daily domestic chores, which are outside of normal work hours. These are the type of tasks required in any household. For example; cleaning and washing your clothes, vacuuming, keeping your bedroom and living areas tidy, grocery shopping and feeding the pets.
- After work hours you may spend time with your family and the children. This may include watching TV, going to church, attending social gatherings etc. Your host family will also want you to make friends in the local area so you can have some time away from the farm socialising with other young people. Internex will help you get in touch with other Farm Au Pairs in the area, however the local community may also have a meet up group, sport centre etc that you can attend.
The purpose of this program is to be more than just a farm job and so we aim to place you with a family that is interested in sharing their home with you. Some farm workers have their own bedroom in the main family home and share all living facilities. This develops your relationship with the family as you tend to spend a lot of time together. Your host will also invite you to attend social/family gatherings with them.
If you are more independent or travelling with friends some hosts may have separate accommodation for workers, especially on bigger or more remote farms. This results in having more independence and you tend to spend your time with other workers than with the family. During your online consultation with your Internex placement supervisor you can stipulate which living arrangement you prefer and Internex will find the most suitable arrangement for you.
Your food includes 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and most meals will be shared with your host family. You are expected to help in the kitchen and contribute with the cooking. If you would like snack food such as chocolate, soft drink, potato chips you will need to purchase this yourself. If you are living in separate accommodation with other farm workers your host will supply food.
Most families have WIFI that you can use for basic use such as contacting your family, checking emails, occasional Skype calls. Please ensure you ask your host family before using the WIFI as some locations have very limited reception and high usage charges. You will also be able to buy data for your mobile phone / device. You must have permission from your host family to bring alcohol onto the farm and also at your own expense. Any special dietary requirements, e.g. Almond milk, gluten free bread, vegetarian or vegan foods are also at your own cost. Any illegal behaviour is cause for dismissal from the employer.
- Be aged 18- 30
- Commit to a minimum 24-week position
- Have a minimum 2 year’s childcare experience
- Obtain a valid New Zealand Working Holiday Visa or equivalent New Zealand work visa
- Be Flexible about the placement location
- Hold a current valid driver’s license along with a certified translation (international driver’s license)
- Be able to apply for an IRD number and New Zealand bank account
- Have at least an intermediate level of English and ability to effectively communicate with the family
- Must sign an employee / tenancy agreement
- Must be available for a Zoom interview with an Internex Supervisor AND possibly the farm owner /manager
- There is a difference between work and household duties as stipulated above and there is a document to read that covers these differences
- Must not smoke (smoking on the farm could result in early termination)
- Not have any pre-existing health conditions that affect your ability to work
- Not ever have been diagnosed, suffer or take any medication for psychological illness
- Love to have fun, be happy and meet new people
- Complete online application and provide documents (CV, motivation letter, references)
What’s Included?
Online interview
Placement Supervisor
Placement arranged prior to arrival
3 Night Arrival Package (Airport transfer, 3 nights accomodation, breakfast, WIFI)
Welcome Orientation
NZ Police record check
Accommodation and meals
Employment agreement
24-hour support service
Flights, visa, insurance assistance
Pre-departure support
Travel and local advice to placement and beyond