General Shepherd - Waitaha Station

• Located in Putorino, Northern Hawke's Bay
• Largescale coastal breeding property, side by sides & horses used.
• The Farm provide an excellent work culture and value their people.

WHERE Waitaha Station is a large coastal hill country property located north of Napier in Hawke's Bay. The farm runs approximately 5000 MA breeding ewes and 400 Angus breeding cows across varied terrain and is well regarded for producing strong livestock performance year on year. It's a hands-on farming operation where pride is taken in good stockmanship, well-kept infrastructure, and doing the basics well.

The station is well resourced and managed, offering a supportive working environment and the chance to be part of a stable and experienced farm team.

WHAT This hands-on General Shepherd role is ideal for someone who enjoys general work, practical stock work, takes pride in doing a good job, and thrives as part of a committed farm team. Working closely with the Station Manager and casual staff, you'll help run day-to-day operations and maintain a productive, well-run farm.

The role involves working with all classes of stock, including mustering, yard work, drafting, weighing, and stock movements, as well as supporting feed allocation, stock rotations, and pasture management throughout the seasons. You'll also carry out animal health tasks such as lambing, docking, dagging, drenching, TB testing, and condition monitoring, safely handling stock.

In addition, the role includes general farm work such as fencing, water systems, tractor work, weed and pest management, and ongoing maintenance. You'll be responsible for recording stock information and working constructively as part of a small team while following all health and safety practices.

To read more about the position and farm layout please visit - https://bit.ly/4a16aZE

WHO Our client is seeking a skilled General Shepherd with 2-3 years' experience, confident working independently, experienced with horses, and passionate about large-scale mustering. The below are also key to success in this role:

• Be honest, reliable and have strong communication skills.
• Show an interest in all aspects of farming - proven stock handling skills, pasture management and competency in maintenance tasks.
• Ideally have 4 or more working dogs under good command.
• Come with some experience on hill country and an understanding of health & safety (when riding side by sides, the appointee will have good judgement to know when to get off and walk around the steeper country).
• You will need a strong work ethic and be a self-starter.
• Accurate recording and reporting skills.
• Experience riding horses is beneficial, though training can be provided.
• Have a full NZ driver's licence.
• Part of the recruitment process will include verification checks & drug and health checks.

WHY

• Opportunity to work within an inclusive farming environment, where there is the chance to further your skills and progress your knowledge.
• The Farm provide an excellent work culture and value their people.
• Opportunity to work on a largescale breeding operation, that has established infrastructure, it will give you the scale of mustering and some ownership with your tasks.
• Winter mustering on offer will enable you to use a horse and to fine tune your dog skills.
• Meat will be provided at the discretion of the owners.
• There are 2 accommodation options available.
• Waitaha Station is just 12km from the close-knit rural community of Putorino, centrally located between Napier and Wairoa, with a highly regarded local primary school, community facilities, and fishing in the nearby Waikare River.

HOW

• To apply for this role, please hit the APPLY button
• For further information on this role please visit https://bit.ly/4a16aZE
• For a confidential chat give the Rural Directions team a call on 06 871 0450

Applications close Sunday 15th February 2026 Only job seekers who have NZ working rights will be eligible for this role.