Contract Milker Jobs in Bay of Plenty

Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea (TToTW), is situated in Ōpōtiki, a coastal town in the sunny Bay of Plenty. Before going through our settlement process in 2024 the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board was established in 1952, and the Trust’s primary role was to administer the assets of the trust on behalf of its beneficiaries and in accordance with the Māori Trust Board Act 1955. Te Whakataunga o Te Raupatu Whenua Deed of Settlement was signed on Saturday 27th of May 2023, where the establishment of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea as the Post Settlement Governance Entity (PSGE) was established to receive and manage the Treaty settlement assets as well as the assets of the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board. The Whakatōhea Dairy Farm - Te Riu o Kānapanapa is a legacy asset and was purchased with a grant given to Whakatōhea in 1946. Covering 218ha, 4km south of Ōpōtiki, the farm winters 750 cows and aims to milk 720 to peak with a production target of 290,000 kgMS, the farm has become one of the top-performing dairy farms in the Eastern Bay of Plenty for the past 5 years, and the team have achieved grade free for the last 3 years, achieving Te Tihi Level 3 – the highest Fonterra Co-operative of excellence in five areas, prosperity, environment, animals, people, and milk. The Opportunity Following the recent resignation of our Farm Manager, we are seeking Expressions of Interest from experienced Contract Milkers to operate a well-established and well-resourced dairy farming business. As we work through this transition, ownership is also reviewing the farm’s operating structure. Alongside this EOI, we are advertising for a Farm Manager, and we are open to discussing the structure that best suits the right candidate. This may include a contract milking arrangement or an alternative agreed management structure, depending on experience, capability, and alignment. We are keen to hear from progressive operators who are passionate about sustainable and environmentally responsible farming, with potential interest in exploring beef strategy alongside the dairy system. There is an opportunity to retain and work with the current farm team, providing continuity and stability. The Farming Operation - 218 hectares - Wintering approximately 750 cows - Peak milking approximately 720 cows - Target production of 290,000 kgMS - 60-bail rotary cowshed - Automatic cup removers (ACRs) - ProTrack - LIC heat detection camera - Feed pad and concrete silage bunker - Cropping: - 23 ha chicory - 25 ha maize silage - Heifers grazed off-farm from weaning to in-calf R2YR - Excellent farm infrastructure - Four farmhouses available (subject to agreement) Scope of a Potential Contract Milker Role - Day-to-day operation of the dairy farm. - Achieving agreed production and performance targets. - Maintaining high standards of animal welfare, milk quality, health & safety, and environmental compliance. - Leading and supporting the farm team, with the option to retain current staff. - Working collaboratively with ownership to deliver agreed outcomes. Final responsibilities and commercial terms will be discussed with shortlisted candidates, all of which are open to negotiation. About You - Proven experience in contract milking or senior dairy farm leadership. - Strong operational, people, and systems management skills. - A sound understanding of farm performance, cost control, and production drivers. - A genuine interest in sustainable farming practices and integrated dairy, and potential beef opportunities. - Able to work independently while maintaining open and positive communication with ownership. Next Steps Shortlisted EOI's will be contacted to discuss experience, operating preferences, and fit. Discussions will begin from Wednesday 21 January 2025, and early expressions of interest are encouraged.

An opportunity has arisen for a keen, honest capable person/couple to take on this position in the awesome Bay of Plenty. Our Contract milker is leaving after 3 years. The farm is 213 ha of flats in Matata, Whakatane and milks 650 predominantly Friesian cows. This flat farm is primarily a grassfed system with a small amount of PKE used on the shoulders and silage is made on the farm as needed. The farm has a 40 aside herringbone cowshed, protrack and runs 2 herds. The herds are milked TAD going to OAD as needed over the summer. The farm also has a 80ha runoff 10 min away for the young stock and winter grazing for the cows. The Contract Milker looks after the cows at the runoff over winter. Applicants must have the following attributes: - Excellent pasture management and feed planning knowledge - Proven staff management skills - Have strong systems in place for health and safety, milk quality, animal husbandry, calf rearing, data entry and environmental compliance. - A strong drive to excel in animal reproduction and mastitis/SCC - Competent tractor operator Average production for the last 5 seasons is 257,000 MS. The local area, Thornton, has a great country primary school (up to year 8) with the school bus at the gate. Just 20 minutes from Whakatane, with the beach a stone’s throw away, a paradise for the keen fisherperson. The farm comes with 3 houses for use. A 4-bedroom house with double garage, a 3-bedroom house with single garage, a smaller 2 bedroom cottage. Applicants MUST have extensive actual experience working on New Zealand dairy farms, either sharemilking, contract milking or managing for 5+ years. Must also be fluent in English and be a NZ citizen currently living in NZ.

**Location** – Pongakawa. Central to Tauranga, Whakatane & Rotorua. 20 mins from Te Puke or Papamoa. School bus at the gate. **Farm** - 194ha effective with a mix of rolling and some steeper areas. Some additional area used for beefies and riparian areas. **Stock** – 560-580 mainly crossbred cows with young stock off-farm from weaning. **Production** – last 5 years average 178,000kgMS, min 173,000 max 185,000. **Shed** – 40 ASHB, 12 years old. Low tech. **Housing** – 2 x 4 bedroom houses available. Good condition. **Policy** – currently run as OAD all season, early spring calving, system 2 with strategic use of PK, aim to control cost of production to ensure profitability at all levels of milk price. ‘Owner’ is on farm and can rear calves. **Position Requirements:** - High personal standards and integrity – on farm, off farm, and at home - drug free - New Zealand experience as a contract milker or manager – must be NZ citizen/resident with drivers licence - Highly skilled in all aspects of dairy farming – from stock, pasture, machinery, effluent & maintenance to record keeping, H&S, reporting and compliance - Excellent communication skills – for staff, owners and reporting - Patience Please apply with a cover letter, current CV and at least two references from previous/current employers.

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and progressive contract milker to run our newly purchased dairy farm in the Eastern Bay of Plenty for the 2026/2027 season. Brooklyn is located 6.4km from Opotiki and has a milking platform of 193ha of flat country. Brooklyn will be milking 580 cows through a 44 aside herringbone cow shed which is supported by a concrete feed pad. All replacements will be grazed off farm from weaning onwards. The successful applicant will have; a high standard of pasture management, excellent animal husbandry and health and safety standards, excellent environmental compliance and farm reporting procedures and the ability to communicate effectively with the farm owner and staff. Farm Size (ha): 202 ha Peak Herd Size (cows): 580 Position Start Date: 01/06/2026 Accommodation available: Three, Three Bedroom Houses Hour Type: negotiable Average Hours Per week: Negotiable Roster: By negotiation Remuneration paid by: Per KgMS

We are looking for a Contract Milker for the 26/27 season to take full responsibility of the day-to-day running of our family farm located in Galatea, Bay of Plenty. This is a great opportunity for the right person who is enthusiastic about growing their future in the industry. Currently milking 270 crossbred cows through a 22 aside herringbone shed, system 4 farm with a new in-shed feed system scheduled for installation May 2026. The farm consists of 110ha effective milking platform with a flat to rolling contour and a further 70 ha of additional land which grazes the yearlings. Target production 120,000 KgMS. We are looking for someone who: • Has a strong work ethic, reliable and honest • Excellent pasture management • Effective communicator, good people skills - ability to build relationships • Quality stockmanship - committed to looking after the cows • Forward thinker who takes initiative and can make sound decisions independently • Confident with animal recording and farm compliance A spacious 4-bedroom family home with an office is on offer, double garage and garden sheds. Additional warm 3-bedroom cottage, plus double garage for staff if required. Galatea is an active and friendly farming community with lots on offer. Local primary school, squash club, playcentre, Lake Aniwhenua, fishing, hunting, an outdoors paradise with beautiful bush and rivers nearby. 45min drive to Rotorua or Whakatane. This job is a great opportunity to get ahead in the industry. Typical staff 1.5 fulltime equivalent. The current Farm Assistant who has been with us for 3 years is willing to stay on if required. Please apply online with a cover letter, and detailed CV which includes at least 2 referees.