Shepard General

4 days ago

Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Full time NZ$30,000 - NZ$60,000 per year

Kia ora

Want to be part of a farming community that challenges the status quo and supports its people to be the best they can be?

Ngāi Tahu Farming's kaupapa is grounded in the whakataukī:

"Toitū te Marae o Tāne, Toitū te Marae o Tangaroa, Toitū te Iwi" –

when the land and water are sustained, the people will prosper.

We are seeking a motivated and reliable Fixed-Term Farm Shepard General to support a farm maintenance and clean-up project at our Balmoral, Culverden operation. This role is focused on getting our farm infrastructure and surrounds into top condition and is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on work and being part of a supportive rural team.

About The Role
This is a practical, physically active role where you'll assist with:

  • General farm maintenance and clean-up
  • Fence repairs and infrastructure tidying
  • Yard, shed, and workshop clean-ups
  • Weed control and basic grounds maintenance
  • Supporting the wider farm team as required

This is a
3 month fixed-term position
, ideal for someone looking for short-term, meaningful work in the rural sector.

What We Offer

  • A supportive, values-led workplace
  • A strong focus on health, safety, and wellbeing
  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Opportunity to gain practical on-farm experience
  • Fully funded counselling support for kaimahi
  • The chance to contribute to a high-performing farming operation

Our Ideal Candidate

  • Has a strong work ethic and a positive, can-do attitude
  • Is reliable, physically fit, and enjoys outdoor work
  • Can follow instructions and work well within a team
  • Has some experience with tools, maintenance, or rural work (preferred but not essential)
  • Shares our commitment to health and safety
  • Has respect for Māori values and tikanga
  • Understands and supports the aspirations of Ngāi Tahu whānui

Ngāi Tahu Farming is committed to "kia hoki ora atu" – ensuring everyone goes home safe every day. As part of this commitment, pre-employment checks will apply, including drug and alcohol testing.

We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates and encourage expressions of interest for secondment opportunities where appropriate.

To apply, please follow the link below and submit your application online.

For confidential enquiries, please contact Dene Noonan on or Jessica Beck on