The scale and challenge of East Coast hill country, while still being within reach of Gisborne and the lifestyle that comes with the region.
This is a great next step if you enjoy hands-on farming and are ready to build your leadership experience.
As Head Shepherd at Parakānapa Station, you’ll play an important part in the day-to-day running of the farm. You’ll be involved in stock work, animal health, breeding, pasture planning and farm records, while helping to organise the team and plan the work ahead.
You’ll work alongside a supportive team who value clear communication, practical ideas and looking out for one another. You’ll have room to use your judgement, share what you know and develop your own leadership style.
With training and development available, you can continue growing your farming, leadership and technology skills while contributing to a farm that cares for its people, animals and land.
You may be an experienced shepherd ready to take your next step, or already working in a senior shepherding role. Either way, you enjoy working with stock, contributing to a team and helping the day run smoothly.
You’ll bring:
We’re proud to have a supportive and inclusive culture at Pāmu. If this role sounds like a good fit for you, but you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.
Pāmu Landcorp Farming Limited is a State-Owned Enterprise with over 110 farms across New Zealand. Our purpose is to lead the delivery of innovative and sustainable agriculture solutions for future generations.
Parikānapa Station is a 2,250ha effective hill country property in the Waerenga-o-kuri district, around 40 minutes from Gisborne. It is East Coast hill country, with steep contour, and horses are used regularly for shifting stock.
Running 26,000 stock units, Parikānapa is a breeding and finishing operation with 8,500 lambing ewes and 1,000 calving cows and finishes approximately 900 trade heifers each year.
Outdoor recreation is right on the doorstep. Primary schooling is available at Waerenga-o-kuri, with the school bus to the gate, and secondary schooling is in Gisborne.
We care about your wellbeing - that’s why we offer health and life insurance, enhanced parental leave benefits, and up to 4% KiwiSaver matching as part of a competitive salary package. You’ll also receive an extra day of leave over Christmas, along with ongoing training and development to help you thrive.
A three-bedroom home is provided.
Applications close midnight Sunday 27 September 2026. and we will be interviewing candidates as we go.
For a chat about the role, please contact Bart Cheetham, Business Manager on: cheethamb@landcorp.co.nz or (027) 404 1518.
To be eligible for this role, you must be available for an in-person interview and have unrestricted legal rights to work in New Zealand. We are unable to accept applicants on temporary work visas for permanent opportunities.
Pāmu provides a safe workplace and the successful applicant will be required to pass a drug and alcohol test and undergo a criminal background check prior to being appointed.
Our values are core to who we are at Pāmu and the way that we all work together. We are Grounded, Genuine, Bold, and Shoulder-to-Shoulder. To read more, click on this link to see them on our website. To see what it's like to work in our Dairy team, click on this link to see A Day In The Life of a Dairy Assistant at Pāmu, or to learn about what our Livestock team is all about, click on this link to see A Day In The Life of a Shepherd at Pāmu.
Pāmu is the brand name for Landcorp Farming Limited, and successful applicants will be employed by Landcorp Farming Limited.
At Pāmu, we are committed to enriching our land, our people, and the future of food and fibre for Aotearoa New Zealand. As the brand name for Landcorp Farming Limited, a State-Owned Enterprise established in 1886, we are proud to be the largest pastoral farming company in New Zealand, managing nearly 360,000 hectares across more than 100 farms.
We aim to farm sustainably and responsibly, ensuring that future generations inherit a thriving agricultural landscape. We manage a broad mix of land types and classes, including some of New Zealand’s most iconic farms such as Wairākei Estate and Molesworth Station. Balancing operational performance with environmental stewardship is at the core of everything we do.
Our farming approach is rooted in innovation and sustainability. We are constantly evolving our practices to reduce environmental impact, enhance biodiversity, and create long-term value for the land we are entrusted to manage. Our leadership in organic farming, methane-reducing livestock, and conservation efforts are key examples of how we are shaping the future of agriculture.
Kaitiakitanga—guardianship of the environment—is fundamental to our operations. We are dedicated to nurturing the land, protecting ecosystems, and reducing our carbon footprint. We’re committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and have protected over 10,000 hectares of conservation land under QEII covenants. As stewards of these natural assets, we strive to enhance both the land and the wider agricultural sector.
Our people are at the heart of Pāmu. With 630 permanent staff, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive workplace. We invest in the growth and well-being of our team through comprehensive safety measures, mental health training, and development opportunities.
