Farm Assistant
Drift Contracting Limited•Farm Assistant•Eastern Bay of Plenty, Bay of Plenty
We are seeking a reliable and motivated Farm Assistant to join our team on a flat to rolling 130 ha dairy farm in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, 20 minutes southeast of Whakatane. The farm milks a peak of 390 KiwiCross cows through a modern 54-bail rotary and operates as a System 3 farm.
You will be working alongside a hands on manager and relief staff in a supportive, well-organised farming operation.
**Key tasks**
- Milking and shed duties
- Assisting with animal health, calving, and mating
- Feeding out and pasture support
- General farm maintenance (fencing, weed control, seasonal tasks)
- Operating farm bikes, tractors, and equipment
- Supporting effluent management and environmental compliance
- Working safely and positively as part of a small team
**Hours & Roster**
- Max 55-hour week, average 45 hours
- 12:2 roster from the start of calving until 1 January
- 11:3 roster from 1 January until the start of calving
- Weekends are essential work only - milking and feeding out
**Experience & skills**
- Minimum 1–2 seasons of dairy farming experience preferred
- Confident with milking and general farm duties
- Reliable, physically fit, and safety-conscious
- Able to work both independently and as part of a small team
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn
**Pay & benefits**
- Salary of $70,000–$72,000, depending on experience
- Modern 5-year-old 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house (rent deducted from salary)
- Double-glazed, fully insulated, with a heat pump
- Large shed
Our current staff member, who has been with us for the past 5 years, is available to talk with prospective applicants if you would like to hear more about the role and working environment.
7mo ago