Block Managers x 2 positions / Dairy Support & Grazing

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Farming is seeking two Block Managers to lead day-to-day operations across allocated farm blocks. These roles involve hands-on livestock and grazing management, plus coaching and developing staff within a growing farming business.

Reporting to the Farm Manager, you will help deliver animal welfare, environmental, and operational outcomes while building capability in the team. A commitment to Ngāi Tahu values and te reo Māori is encouraged.

Qualifications

• Strong livestock and pastoral farming experience.
• Experience in dairy support, finishing, grazing or similar farming systems.
• Knowledge of grazing management, pasture assessment and feed allocation.
• Ability to lead by example and positively influence others.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Commitment to health and safety, animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
• Staff leadership or people management experience.
• Willingness to learn Ngāi Tahu values, tikanga and te reo Māori.

Responsibilities

• Leading and coordinating day-to-day farm operations within an assigned block.
• Managing grazing, feed utilisation and livestock performance.
• Planning and prioritising work programmes.
• Supporting and developing kaimahi through coaching and leadership.
• Driving high standards of animal welfare, health and safety and farm presentation.
• Contributing to seasonal planning and wider farm performance.
• Supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence across the business.

Skills

Livestock management

Pastoral farming

Leadership

Communication

Health and safety

Team coaching

Ngāi Tahu values

Job description

Block Managers (2 Positions)

Ngāi Tahu Farming | Permanent, Full-time

Kia hiwa rā!

Mō Mātou - About Us

Ngāi Tahu Farming is committed to producing sustainable products from our environment in a way that aligns with Ngāi Tahu values. Everything we do is guided by our purpose: "Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei" - for us and our children after us.

Our values - Whanaungatanga, Tohungatanga, Tikanga, Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga, Rangatiratanga, Kotahitanga - shape our decisions and underpin everything we set out to achieve.

As a significant contributor to New Zealand agriculture, Ngāi Tahu Farming continues to grow and evolve, leveraging technology, innovation and strong farming expertise to optimise performance across our diverse farming portfolio while creating sustainable outcomes for future generations.

Mō Te Tūranga - About The Role

We're looking for two motivated and capable Block Managers to join our Grazing leadership team.

Reporting to the Farm Manager, these newly established positions will be responsible for leading and coordinating the day-to-day operations of assigned farm blocks. These are hands‑on leadership roles that combine livestock and grazing management with the coordination, coaching and development of people.

Working closely with the wider farm leadership team, the successful applicants will help deliver production, animal welfare, environmental and operational outcomes while building capability and performance across the team.

As part of Ngāi Tahu Farming's continued growth and development, these new positions have been created to strengthen on‑farm leadership, improve operational coordination and support future succession planning within the business.

Key responsibilities include

• Leading and coordinating day‑to‑day farm operations within an assigned block.
• Managing grazing, feed utilisation and livestock performance.
• Planning and prioritising work programmes.
• Supporting and developing kaimahi through coaching and leadership.
• Driving high standards of animal welfare, health and safety and farm presentation.
• Contributing to seasonal planning and wider farm performance.
• Supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence across the business

Ngā Pūkenga Me Ngā Wheako - Skills & Experience

We're looking for someone who combines practical farming expertise with emerging or established leadership capability.

You Will Bring

• Strong livestock and pastoral farming experience.
• Experience within dairy support, finishing, grazing or similar farming systems.
• Knowledge of grazing management, pasture assessment and feed allocation.
• The ability to lead by example and positively influence others.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• A commitment to health and safety, animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
• Staff leadership or people management experience.
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn, Ngāi Tahu values, tikanga and te reo Māori.

He aha ai koe ka mahi ai ki a mātou? - Why work with us?

This is an exciting opportunity to take the next step in your farming career and join a progressive farming business committed to excellence, sustainability and future‑focused farming.

You'll have the opportunity to be part of a newly established leadership structure designed to support capability development, succession planning and career progression within Ngāi Tahu Farming.