Job Description
Central Plateau | 25 minutes from Taupō | 7,000ha integrated farming business
Ōtānepae Station is a 1,350ha breeding and finishing property located just 25 minutes northwest of Taupō, offering an excellent balance of rural living and town convenience. Set amongst native bush and open farmland, Ōtānepae offers a peaceful lifestyle while remaining close to the lake, hot pools, mountain biking and the wider outdoor opportunities Taupō is known for. The area also provides access to quality schooling, nearby school bus pick-up, and a wide range of sports and activities for children in Taupō. For partners or family members, Taupō offers strong employment opportunities across tourism, trades, retail, hospitality, education and professional services.
Ōtānepae forms part of Waipapa Group’s wider 7,000ha integrated farming business, spanning sheep and beef, dairy grazing, four dairy farms and forestry. As part of this diverse agribusiness, the Stock Manager will work closely with the wider Waipapa team to support effective integration across livestock, land use, people and systems.
Waipapa Group is seeking a capable and motivated Stock Manager to support the day-to-day running of Ōtānepae Station. This is a practical, hands-on role working alongside the Farm Manager, suited to someone who is ready to step forward, take ownership of the day-to-day, and keep building their capability in a well-supported farming business.
While the role is based at Ōtānepae, there may also be times where support is required across the wider drystock unit. The core focus, however, is Ōtānepae: getting the day-to-day right, maintaining strong animal health and performance, supporting feed and pasture management, and helping keep the station running smoothly, safely and to a high standard.
As a values-led organisation, Waipapa Group is guided by Kaitiakitanga, Pono, Tika, Aroha and Manawanui. These values underpin how the business cares for its land and livestock, how people work together, and how the team approaches its responsibilities each day. We are looking for someone who aligns with these values and takes pride in contributing to a positive, resilient and high-performing farming operation.
The Stock Manager will support daily operations on farm, helping coordinate work, monitor stock performance, maintain high standards across animal health, feed and pasture, and support junior staff on the ground. You will be a key part of the on-farm team, sharing knowledge, stepping in where needed, and helping ensure work is completed well and on time.
The ideal candidate will:
- Be a strong, practical stockperson with good attention to detail
- Have 3+ years’ farming experience and a solid grounding in New Zealand livestock systems
- Be confident completing day-to-day stock work to a high standard
- Have some exposure to leadership, or be ready to support and guide others on farm
- Be willing to keep learning and developing in feed planning, pasture management and farm systems
- Be reliable, organised and take pride in doing the basics well
- Have a positive attitude and contribute to a strong team culture
- Have a team of working dogs suited to the role and a full NZ driver’s licence
A quality four-bedroom home set in a peaceful rural environment gives you the space to properly enjoy where you live, while still being close enough to Taupō for schooling, work opportunities, and everything that comes with a strong community and lifestyle.
You’ll be joining a supportive team within a progressive, values-led agribusiness that genuinely backs its people. There’s real opportunity here to keep developing your skills and grow within the wider Waipapa Group business, all while contributing to a farming operation focused on long-term success and doing things the right way for people, livestock and whenua.
If you're ready to step up, build your capability, and be part of a farming business with a strong values base, we’d like to hear from you.
- Discover more about Waipapa Group and its kaupapa at www.waipapatrust.co.nz
- You can view the full job description at our recruitment partner’s website www.no8hr.co.nz
- For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact nick@no8hr.com
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