• Enjoy the best of rural living in the Central Hawke’s Bay countryside
• Combine hands-on technical work with leadership and mentoring
• A great mix of workshop work, machinery repairs and farm operations

To read more about the position and business structure please visit – https://bit.ly/4CgchXF

Your Role

As the Infrastructure and Maintenance Manager, you will take a hands-on lead in maintaining Smedley Station’s buildings, infrastructure, machinery, vehicles, workshop and property. This is a practical role involving day-to-day maintenance, repairs and servicing. You will also plan work programmes, manage resources and coordinate contractors.

You will also support the practical training and development of Cadets, sharing your technical knowledge through hands-on coaching and supervision. You will help build their workshop, mechanical and machinery skills while promoting safe work practices and supporting wider farm operations as required.

What You’ll Bring:

• A relevant trade qualification in automotive mechanics, mechanical engineering or a similar field.
• Demonstrated experience in property and infrastructure maintenance, workshop operations or rural environments.
• Strong hands-on skills in machinery maintenance, mechanical repairs, welding, fabrication and general property maintenance.
• Experience operating and maintaining tractors, vehicles, machinery and equipment.
• Ability to plan maintenance work, manage resources and coordinate contractors and suppliers.
• Experience supervising, training or mentoring staff, trainees or young people.
• Sound knowledge of health and safety practices and risk management.
• Good computer skills and confidence with digital recordkeeping systems.
• A current full New Zealand driver's licence.

What’s on Offer

• Opportunity to take ownership of a varied infrastructure and maintenance function within an established rural training environment.
• Play an important role in developing the next generation of agricultural workers through practical training and mentorship of Cadets.
• Opportunity to apply and further develop technical skills across a diverse range of machinery, infrastructure and rural operations.
• A rewarding leadership role with a balance of hands-on work, planning, coordination and people development.
• Work within a unique agricultural environment at Smedley Station, located in Tikokino, Central Hawke’s Bay.
• Opportunity to contribute to the long-term development and upkeep of a significant rural property.
• Build strong relationships with industry suppliers, contractors and agricultural professionals.
• Be part of an organisation with a strong commitment to education, practical learning and the future of the primary sector.
• Accommodation is a comfortable three-bedroom home.

About Smedley Station

Smedley Station has a proud history of developing the next generation of New Zealand farmers, dating back to 1919 when Josiah Howard gifted the property to the Crown to provide practical farming training for young people. Its purpose remains to deliver an exceptional training environment that combines hands-on farming experience with high standards of commercial farm performance.

Located in Tikokino, Central Hawke’s Bay, Smedley spans 5,600 hectares across four farming blocks, running approximately 30,000 stock units. With more than 90 years of cadet training experience, Smedley continues to play an important role in developing skilled, capable and future-focused people for the agricultural industry. 

 Hit APPLY or call Rural Directions on 06 871 0450 for a confidential chat.

Applications close Sunday 6 December 2026. However, applications will be reviewed as they are

received, so we encourage you to apply now!

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