Livestock and Dairy Farmstays
We work with hundreds of farms in New Zealand that may be interested in having you live and work with them. The majority of our placements are on dairy farms as they are one of the largest and most labour intensive sectors of New Zealand’s agricultural economy. We also have some sheep, beef and mixed farms for those with experience.
Typical task include milking cows, cleaning sheds, calving and feeding. Other roles may include monitoring animals health, feeding, fencing, calving, using machinery and general equipment maintenance. Some hosts may ask for you to help out with other parts of their farm such as looking after other animals or looking after the kids from time to time. Each farm is unique, and the roles can change week to week so you need to be flexible and willing to adapt to the daily tasks. Typical positions are available from July when calving starts through until early March when milking stops. Some farms do require help all year round and you can discuss your available dates during your consultation with Internex.
If you don’t have the required experience, or are unable to come at the start of the season or last the full season, or you are travelling in New Zealand and are wanting to learn about farm life in New Zealand but do not want the additional work expectations, then you may prefer our Farm Volunteer Program for 4 – 12 weeks (longer depending on your visa allowance). If you are unsure which program is most suitable for you, send our team an enquiry and we will work out which program will be best for you to apply for.
Tasks are usually varied and change from week to week and season to season. However, typical tasks include;
- Milking
- Calving
- Cleaning
- Moving animals
- Making hay
- Spraying weeds
- Water-blasting
- Mending fences
- Using tractors and motorbikes (license required)
- Lambing
- Docking
- Calving
- Mowing lawns
- Cleaning and filling water troughs
- Looking after family pets
- Collecting eggs
- Gardening
- Maintaining vegetable gardens
- Other general farm duties
- Helping with children and around the farmhouse
- While living on the property you’re also required to help with an additional 10 hours of domestic duties which are not considered work. For example; preparing and cooking meals, cleaning and washing your clothes, vacuuming, keeping your bedroom and living areas tidy, going grocery shopping and feeding the pets etc.
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 for you that you can cook yourself or will provide you with $100.00 per week allowance or supermarket vouchers.
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
- 4-12 week maximum placement for those with no previous experience
- Those with relevant experience can stay up to 24 weeks
- 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
- Sign an employee / tenancy agreement
- Must be available for a Zoom/Skype interview with an INTERNeX Supervisor AND possibly the farm owner /manager
- There is a differentiation 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 physical or mental 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 relevant documents (CV, motivation letter, references)
What’s Included?
Online interview
Placement Supervisor
Farm placement and interview set-up
3 Night Arrival Package (Airport transfer, 3 nights accomodation, breakfast, WIFI)
Welcome Orientation
Employment agreement
Tenancy agreement
Accommodation (deducted from wages)
Meals or allowance (deducted from wages)
Tenancy agreement
Pre-departure support
Flights, visa and insurance assistance
24-hour support service
- Travel and local advice to placement and beyond