Shepherd/General

🌱 About Us

Fairfield is a 500Ha family-owned farm situated just 20 minutes from Gisborne. The property features well-developed infrastructure, quality fencing systems, and excellent farm tracks.

We are a diversified agricultural business including:

• Stock fattening and finishing
• Cropping
• Citrus production

We winter between 4,000–5,000 trade lambs and approximately 110 steers (increasing to 210 over summer).

The location is ideal for families:

• School bus at the gate
• Local primary school and Kindergarten just 5 minutes down the road
• Easy commute for partners working in or around Gisborne

The perfect job if you enjoy variety — no two days are the same here. Our quieter period is over summer, offering a great opportunity to enjoy holidays.

🐑 Your Role

This is a hands-on position responsible for the day-to-day running of the sheep and beef side of the business, as well as Repairs and maintenance and some tractor work.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating stock sales and purchases
• Managing animal health, including early identification of issues
• Liveweight monitoring and performance management
• Stock handling: mustering, shifting, weighing, drafting, drenching & crutching
• Pasture and feed management
• Accurate record keeping and regular communication with owners
• General farm maintenance (fencing, weed & pest control)
• Assisting with grassing down of flats

 About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a passion for finishing stock
• Brings 3–4 well-controlled working dogs
• Maintains high standards of animal health and welfare
• Understands pasture and feed management
• Is competent in farm maintenance
• Can work independently and within a small team
• Is physically fit, self-motivated, reliable, honest and proactive
• Holds a current full NZ driver’s licence
• Has NZ Residency

Experience

Head Shepherd-level experience is preferred.

However, we are open to the right person with a minimum of 4 years’ solid farming experience who demonstrates:

• Maturity and strong stock sense
• Initiative and leadership potential
• A genuine desire to step up and grow

If you have the right attitude and are ready to advance your career in a supportive environment, we want to hear from you.

Experience operating tractors and machinery is an advantage but not essential.

🏠 What’s On Offer

• Modern 3-bedroom home
• Carshed
• Competitive remuneration based on experience and skills
• Supportive family-owned farming environment

📞 Interested?

If this sounds like you and you’d like to know more, contact:

Tom – 027 620 9642

Or: send your CV and a covering letter to newmannewman@gisborne.net.nz

We look forward to hearing from you.