Dairy farming
Dairy Farming has been part of New Zealand’s proud farming history and gets better all the time, thanks to innovation and technology.
As the world’s biggest exporter of dairy products, New Zealand process 21 billion litres of milk each year. New Zealand’s quality products are in demand thanks to the country's productive land, healthy livestock, and smart, switched-on farmers and other rural professionals.
Job overview
From starting as a farm assistant, through to contract milking, managing or owning/operating a dairy farm, there are on-job qualifications and industry growth opportunities to support a successful life-long career.
Skills and experience
- Physically fit – dairy farm work can be physically demanding
- Confident and caring with animals
- Patient, adaptable, and practical
- Motivated
- Able to follow a routine
- Able to show initiative and make decisions
- Well organised, goal-focused, and able to think ahead
- Able to work well independently and in a team
- Good at communicating.
News from our learners and employers
Growing up in Bulgaria in a region where winemaking has been a way of life for hundreds of years introduced Marlborough winemaker Diana Katardzhieva to her lifelong career.
With 41 dedicated dairy experts across the motu, Primary ITO’s people are dedicated to getting on every farm – wherever learners need them.
Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the year winner Quinn Morgan almost gave up on finding a job in Aotearoa in 2020 and was headed back to Australia to live with his young whānau when he landed a job on a dairy farm.
An innovative West Coast education initiative aims to get more agriculture learners in jobs more quickly by giving them better training options.