• Historical property located in Crownthorpe, Hawkes Bay.
• Modern technologies and systems within the business. 
• An excellent work culture and owners and managers value their people.  

WHERE

Matapiro Station is a privately owned 2,300ha farming operation, widely recognised as an historical property with an iconic homestead. Located in the rural farming district of Crownthorpe, the station is within an easy 25-minute commute of Napier and Hastings.

This is a mixed enterprise farming business with a large-scale cattle breeding/finishing and lamb trading operation. It is a high performing, easy contour property with sound farming policies and excellent infrastructure in place. They are utilising modern technologies, a fully automated conveyor, electronic weigh scales and H-dale crutching machines and have a full range of tractors and implements.

The owners and management team are very proud of the Station, it’s history and how they have enhanced and improved it over the last 20 years. The strength of the property is its ability to winter stock. Winters are relatively mild with a short no-growth period.

WHAT

As the Experienced Shepherd at Matapiro Station you will be working closely with the Manager and be involved in all aspects of the farming operation. You will need a high level of stockmanship and a well-controlled team of 5 working dogs, with an emphasis on heading dogs.

As the property is mainly finishing you will need strong attention to detail around animal health and a keen eye for your pasture management.

There is a small team on farm, with a shepherd that will report directly to you. Matapiro Station is looking for a strong team player, a person with a good sense of humour and excellent work ethic. The Station will support you with your personal growth and for the right person, further responsibility will be given.

To read more about the position and farm layout/business structure please visit – https://bit.ly/43YGCv6

WHO

Matapiro Station are looking for an experienced shepherd who has a high level of stockmanship. The below are also key to success in this role:

• Excellent stockmanship & capable team of dogs.
• 3-4 years farming experience and some finishing experience.
• Have a sound understanding of pasture management.
• Experienced with general work, this is done during the quieter period.
• Strong animal health and observation skill.
• Be clean and tidy with your gear & work habits (bike cleaned weekly).
• Good verbal and written communication.
• Be a forward thinker and a team player.
• New Zealand Drivers Licence.

WHY

• Opportunity to work within an inclusive farming environment, where there is the chance to further your skills and progress your knowledge and gain responsibility. 
• Farming a mixed land unit system.
• The owner’s and management team provide an excellent work culture and value their people.
• Opportunity to work on a largescale finishing operation, that has established some excellent infrastructure, it will give you the scale of mustering and some ownership with your tasks.
• Modern technologies and systems within the business. 
• There is a tidy, comfortable, and warm three-bedroom home with a sleep out. The home is centrally located on the station and has a fireplace and 2 heat pumps. There is garaging and a good set of dog kennels at the house.
• There is a good local community who are either farming or vineyard based and a local dog trial group.

HOW

• To apply for this role, please hit the APPLY button
• For further information on this role please visit https://bit.ly/43YGCv6
• For a confidential chat give the Rural Directions team a call on 06 871 0450

Applications close Sunday 11th May 2025

Only job seekers who have NZ working rights will be eligible for this role.