Competitive salary
Health and life insurance
Great location, 25 minutes from Palmerston North.
Bring your passion and motivation for farming to this shepherding role,great opportunityon a diverse livestock farm.
THE OPPORTUNITY
We’relooking for a Shepherd General to join our team at Cheltenham Downs. Whetheryou’restarting your farming career or you already have experience, this isa great opportunityto build your skills, gain experience across all areas of the farm, and become part of a supportive team.
You’llbe part of a close-knit team of five, working alongside an experienced Farm Manager who will support your development and help you work towards your career goals.You’llhave the opportunity to take on a variety of responsibilities, learn newskillsand build your confidence across the farm.
Youdon’tneed to have years of experience –we’reopen to people atdifferent stagesof their farming journey and will provide the support you need to succeed.
This is a drive in – drive out position.
Yourkeyresponsibilities will include:
Caring for and managing livestock, including day-to-day stock work
Supporting animal health and welfare
General farm maintenance
Fencing and other farm development work
Working as part of the wider farm team to get the job done safely and well
ABOUT YOU
You’repassionate about farming, love working with livestock, and want to be part of ateam that gets results.You’repractical and always looking for ways to do the job better.
Youwill:
Enjoy working with animals and take their welfare seriously
Ideally,you’llhaveacoupleof capable working dogs
Be organised, reliable, and self-motivated in your daily tasks
Communicate clearly and work well as part of a team
Be comfortable keepingaccuraterecords and using farm technology (or keen to learn)
Take a proactive approach to health, safety, and looking after farm assets
Have a valid restricted or full driver licence
We’reproud to have a supportive and inclusive culture at Pāmu. If this role sounds like a good fit for you, but youdon’tmeet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.
THE PĀMU FARM
Cheltenham Downs is a1050effective ha Sheep andBeefPāmufarm, 25 minutes from Palmerston NorthIt is an important finishing operation which has stock supplied from other Pāmu breeding farms within the North Island.We haveapproximately 25,000 lambs finished year-round, plus grazingofewehoggetsanddairyheifer replacements from PāmuFarms
ABOUT US
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.
We’reproud to have a supportive and inclusive culture at Pāmu, and we encourage applications from people who share our values – even if youdon’ttick every box
BENEFITS
We care about your wellbeing -that’swhy we offer health and life insurance, enhanced parental leave benefits, and up to 4% KiwiSaver matching as part of a competitive salary package.You’llalso receive an extra day of leave over Christmas, along with ongoing training and development to help you thrive.
APPLY NOW
Applications closemidnightSunday6 September2026,and we will be interviewing candidates as we go
For a copy of the position description, please use this link:
2026_Shepherd_General.pdf
Ifyou’vegot any questions, pleasecontactDavid Woolston(Farm Manager) on woolstond@landcorp.co.nzor(027) 3065055
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.
