The Crossing Dairy – Dairy Farm Assistant or Herd Manager

Dairy Vacancies

The Crossing Dairy Limited

Dairy Farm Assistants or Herd Manager

Start date 01/06/2026 or negotiable

Applications close 31/05/2026

We have an exciting opportunity to join our highly motivated team at our new dairy conversion in Te Pirita.

Reporting to the Farm Manager, we’re on the search for someone with an excellent attitude, honesty, reliability, punctuality, self-organisation and has a desire to work as part of a team. We’re keen for flexibility to meet seasonal requirements and unforeseen circumstances, someone who cares about animals and the environment.

You’ll have a range of duties to keep you busy, interested and developing including:
– Milking twice a day
– shifting cows and feeding
– fencing, weed control
– calving, calf rearing
– shed cleaning and setup,
– identifying and alerting managers to sick cows
– Setting fences– and other general farm duties.

Candidates will ideally have previous dairy farming experience. To be considered you must:

  • provide a CV which is current, correct and complete or alternative evidence of work (this is proof of work and professionalism and the employer will not consider you without this)
  • be a solid worker and with good character (where possible, we will do a criminal check)
  • be physically fit – be able to pass a pre-employment drug test
  • have at least a restricted driver licence as you’ll need to go between farm and runoff.

We offer a competitive salary based on experience and skill level, accommodation, regular flexible rostered time off, and time off for training. There are also opportunities for further growth in seasons to come.

Accommodation is a brand new two-bedroom house or a renovated three-bedroom house. No pets or smoking in the accommodation. Rent will be deducted from salary.

The Crossing Dairy Ltd will have six staff and aims to peak milk 1,050 cows through a brand new 60 bail rotary with automatic cup removers and in-shed feeting. The Farm is 320ha, with irrigation via six pivots and a small number of fixed sprinklers.

The Crossing is located in Te Pirita – 15 minutes south of Dunsandel, 1 hour south of Christchurch & 15 minutes north of Rakaia.

Submit your interest by email to business@camdengroup.co.nz addressing the above requirements in a detailed cover letter and CV. A full job description is available on request.

Opportunities

The Crossing Dairy

The Crossing Dairy

Te Pirita

The Crossing Dairy was formed in 2025 after the consents were granted to convert the existing grazing and dairy lease land to dairy farming.

Conversion is underway with the construction of a dairy shed and effluent system, staff housing, irrigation and fencing updates. The Crossing will be ready to supply milk for the 2026-27 season.

The business is a joint venture between the Camden Group and the Cox Family.

Te Pirita Road, Te Pirita

Established 2025

1,100 cows planned

300 ha eff

Rakaia River Supply

60-bail rotary shed planned

6 staff planned

Management Team

Mark Cox

Grazing Farm Manager
The Crossing Dairy

Terry Kilday

General Manager
Camden Group

Travis Gordon

Business Manager
Camden Group

Leo Donkers

Conversion Project Manager

Camden Group Services

Camden Group Services

Dunsandel

Camden Group Services Limited is the administration and head office function for the Camden Group. CGS is based out of our offices in Dunsandel.

 

CGS provides oversight to the Camden Group farms, along with assistance and business support and consultancy services to Highveld Pastures, Kohika Downs, and other agricultural businesses.

Dunsandel

Established 2016

5 staff

Management Team

DSC01616-2

Terry Kilday

General Manager
Camden Group
DSC01716-2

Travis Gordon

Business Manager
Camden Group

2IC/Assistant Manager – Willsden Farm

Assistant Manager

Willsden Farm Ltd

Start date June 2026

The Camden Group has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join our team as the Assistant Manager (2IC) at Willsden Farm Ltd.

About Us

We pride ourselves on our team culture, ‘The Camden Way’ and the systems we run. We are firm believers in creating a positive environment to get the best from our people, our animals and our environment.

Willsden Farm Ltd has six staff and aims to peak milk 1,050 cows through a 50-bail rotary with automatic cup removers and in-shed feeting. The Farm is 306ha, with irrigation via pivots and set grid sprinklers. Willsden is  in Te Pirita – 15 minutes south of Dunsandel, 1 hour south of Christchurch and 15 minutes north of Rakaia.

Reporting to the Farm Manager, we’re on the search for someone with an excellent attitude, honesty, reliability, punctuality, self-organisation and has a desire to work as part of a team. We’re keen for flexibility to meet seasonal requirements and unforeseen circumstances, someone who cares about animals, the environment and people.

Does this sound like you?

  • You have at least 3 years’ experience, with a sound knowledge of all aspects of large-scale dairy farming in New Zealand including people management, stock management, rotary dairy shed operation, machinery, irrigation, and pasture management.
  • A tertiary education would be beneficial eg. University or Level 4 AgITO.
  • You have a good understanding of compliance requirements and a desire to be environmentally low impact.
  • You’re able to maintain a high standard of milk quality and shed cleanliness.
  • You’re a great record keeper and have excellent problem-solving and time management skills.
  • You’re conscious about health & safety and will do everything you can to keep yourself and your team members safe.
  • You can lead the farm team in the Manager’s absence.

Interested? Email us a detailed CV and cover letter to business@camdengroup.co.nz. A full position description is available on request. 

Applications close 17 May 2026. We will be reviewing applications before the close date so get in as soon as you can.

Opportunities

Highveld Pastures

Highveld Pastures

Methven

Highveld Pastures was purchased in June 2021 as an existing dairy platform. The property is 230ha and aims to milk 850 cows in a 3-in-2 milking regime.

Irrigation is by centre pivots and set grid sprinklers, with connection to the Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme.

The business is a joint venture between the Camden Group, Waterton Agricultural Ltd, the Kilday, Maw and Coetzee families, John Donkers and Steffan Vermeer, who have all been involved with Camden Group businesses past or present.

Equity Managers Flo and Jen Coetzee run the day-to-day operations with support from the management teams at Camden Group and Waterton Agricultural.

Reynolds Road, Methven

Established 2021

850 cows

213 ha

Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme

54-bail rotary shed

5 staff

Management Team

Coetzees

Flo & Jen Coetzee

Equity Managers
Highveld Pastures
DSC01716-2

Travis Gordon

Business Manager
Highveld Pastures