Lead Packaging Technician – Dairy High-Performance Lines

Westland Milk Products; West Coast; On-site; NZD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shared accommodation

Experience on large dairy farm

Job summary

Hartland Dairies Ltd is seeking a Dairy Farm Assistant for a full-time role on a 300-hectare dairy farm at Hokitika. You will milk cows, prepare the dairy shed, maintain cleanliness and biosecurity, monitor animal health, assist with calving, and work with Halter technology on a well-established farm. Accommodation is provided.

The role offers exposure to modern farming practices and a supportive team environment under experienced farm owners.

Qualifications

• No relevant experience or qualification required, but willing to learn.
• Genuine interest in dairy farming and animal care.
• Ability to work as part of a small team and independently when required.
• Good communication and a positive, can-do attitude.
• Strong attention to detail regarding animal health and shed hygiene.
• Good time management and ability to follow instructions and procedures.
• Willingness to work in changing weather conditions.
• Commitment to health and safety, animal welfare and environmental management.

Responsibilities

• Milking cows twice daily and assisting with all milking aspects.
• Prepare and set up the dairy shed before milking; complete washdown and cleaning.
• Maintain high standards of shed hygiene, cleanliness and biosecurity.
• Monitor cow health and behaviour; identify sick or injured animals and report concerns.
• Assist with animal health treatments and routine herd management.
• Assist with calving, monitor cows and calves, and help with calf rearing.
• Use Halter technology and follow herd movement procedures.
• Undertake pasture maintenance, weed management and fencing repairs.
• Contribute to environmental management activities such as riparian planting.
• Carry out general farm duties and maintenance; follow farm safety procedures.

Job description

What You’ll Be Doing

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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

Key Responsibilities and Performance Goals

• 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.

Performance will be assessed through the consistent completion of daily duties, adherence to farm procedures, quality of work, animal welfare practices, shed hygiene and teamwork.

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.