Dairy Farm Assistant

Hartland Dairies Limited; West Coast; On-site; NZD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shared accommodation

Job summary

Hartland Dairies Limited in Hokitika seeks a Dairy Farm Assistant to join our 300-hectare farm. You will work alongside the farm owners and an experienced team, performing milking, animal care and general farm tasks.

No formal qualifications required, but a genuine interest in dairy farming and willingness to learn are essential. You will participate in milking, shed hygiene, animal welfare and routine farm duties across variable weather conditions.

Qualifications

• No relevant experience or qualification required, but willing to learn.
• Genuine interest in dairy farming and animal care.
• Willingness to learn and develop skills will be considered.
• Ability to work as part of a small team and independently when required.

Responsibilities

• Milking cows twice daily and assisting with milking process.
• Washdown and cleaning procedures after milking.
• Maintain shed hygiene, cleanliness and biosecurity.
• Monitor cow health and report concerns.
• Assist with calving and herd management.
• Use Halter technology and follow procedures for herd movement.
• Carry out pasture maintenance and farm duties as required.
• Follow health and safety procedures, ensure a safe working environment.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Time management

Health & safety

Tools

Halter technology

Automatic cup removers

Job description

DAIRY FARM ASSISTANT

Hokitika Hartland Dairies Limited

Posted 4 days ago

Job Description

WHO WE ARE

Our farm currently milks approximately 400 cows twice daily through a 36-bail rotary cowshed fitted with automatic cup removers (ACR)s and in-shed meal feeding. We utilise Halter collar technology to manage our herd and graze all young stock on the property. During winter, cows are wintered on swedes, making this a largely self-contained farming operation.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Hartland Dairies Ltd is seeking a motivated and reliable Dairy Farm Assistant to join our team on our 300-hectare dairy farm at 176 Ford Road South, RD 1, Hokitika.

This is a full-time position working alongside the farm owners and an experienced, long-serving team member.

• Milking cows twice daily and assisting with all aspects of the milking process.
• Preparing and setting up the dairy shed before milking and completing washdown and cleaning procedures afterwards.
• Maintaining high standards of shed hygiene, cleanliness and biosecurity.
• Monitoring cow health and behaviour, identifying sick or injured animals and reporting concerns promptly.
• Assisting with animal health treatments and routine herd management as directed.
• Assisting with calving, including monitoring cows, collecting cows and calves, and helping with calf rearing.
• Using Halter technology and following established procedures for herd movement and management.
• Undertaking weed management, fencing repairs and general pasture maintenance.
• Assisting with riparian planting and other environmental management activities.
• Carrying out general farm duties and maintenance as required.
• Following farm health and safety procedures and maintaining a safe working
• Carry out milking duties efficiently and safely, following established farm procedures.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic and well-organised dairy shed.
• Handle livestock calmly, safely and with care, ensuring high standards of animal welfare.
• Identify and report animal health concerns promptly.
• Complete allocated tasks reliably and to the required standard.
• Work cooperatively with the farm team and communicate effectively with management.
• Take responsibility for equipment, farm facilities and maintaining a tidy working
• Follow health and safety, environmental and farm biosecurity requirements.
• Contribute positively to the smooth and efficient operation of the farm throughout the season.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

• No relevant experience or qualification required, but willing to learn
• A genuine interest in dairy farming and animal care.
• Willingness to learn and develop skills will be considered.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a small team and independently when required.
• Good communication skills and a positive, can-do attitude.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding animal health and shed hygiene.
• Good time management and the ability to follow instructions and established farm procedures.
• A willingness to undertake a variety of farm duties in changing weather conditions.
• A commitment to health and safety, animal welfare and environmental management.
• Physical fitness suitable for the demands of dairy farm work.
• A responsible approach to farm equipment, livestock and property.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• A competitive rate of $26 - $34 per hour, depending on skills and experience.
• Shared accommodation provided as part of the employment package.
• The opportunity to work on a well-established, 300-hectare dairy farm.
• Experience with modern dairy farming practices, including Halter collar technology and automatic cup removers.
• The opportunity to develop practical skills across milking, animal health, calving and general farm management.
• A supportive working environment alongside experienced farm owners and an established team member.
• The opportunity to contribute to a self-contained farming operation with a variety of seasonal duties.

REPORTING STRUCTURE:

The Dairy Farm Assistant will report to Melvin Silubrico and work under the direction of farm owners Jeremy and Anna Hart.

The successful applicant will be expected to follow reasonable instructions, communicate any operational or animal health concerns and work collaboratively to achieve the farm's