Mechanical Engineering Apprentice

General Information

Date Published

26-Aug-2026

Advertising Ends

01-Sep-2026

ID#

16746

Role Type

Early Careers

Work Type

Fixed-Term Full-Time

Workplace Type

On-site

Country

New Zealand

Location

Bay of Plenty District, Canterbury, Manawatu, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki

Position Description

• Feel connected here: Our people are at the heart of everything we do, connected to the land and each other, creating goodness for generations. We are good together.
• Be inspired here: Be inspired to be better every day in a place that nurtures innovation, champions sustainability, and empowers you to help solve for a better future for all.
• Grow here: In our inclusive environment, you’ll be supported to develop your skills, explore new paths, and grow with purpose. Together, we’ll make every drop count.

Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō | Imagine Tomorrow with Us

At Fonterra Te Mātāpuna, we want everyone to feel they can be themselves.

Whether you're early in your career or ready for your next step, Fonterra offers a unique opportunity to grow with a global dairy co-operative that values care, collaboration, and contribution.

Owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and supported by a dedicated team, we are all working together to create a better future. Imagine tomorrow with us, where your career can grow, and you can create positive change.

Mō tēnei tūranga | About the opportunity

Start your career with one of Aotearoa New Zealand's largest companies while earning a New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Maintenance) through our fully funded apprenticeship programme.

As a Mechanical Apprentice, you'll join a supportive team of experienced tradespeople and work in a large-scale manufacturing environment while earning a competitive salary and gaining a nationally recognised qualification.

Over four years, you'll combine structured learning with practical, hands-on experience, developing the skills needed to become a qualified Mechanical Engineer.

You'll gain exposure to:

• Equipment breakdowns and fault diagnostics
• Preventative, corrective and shutdown maintenance
• Maintenance planning and scheduling
• Mechanical motors, pumps, valves and rotating equipment
• Site utilities, including boilers and supporting infrastructure
• Welding, fabrication and vibration analysis
• Highly automated manufacturing processes and robotics
• Modern technologies used across New Zealand's largest dairy manufacturing sites

No two days will be the same. You'll learn how to maintain, troubleshoot and improve critical equipment that helps keep our operations running safely and efficiently.

This is an opportunity to build a long-term career while learning from experienced professionals and working with industry-leading equipment and technology.

Tā mātou oati | Our Commitment to You

We care for our people globally. Our comprehensive benefits support your well-being, development, and work-life balance:

• Focus on pastoral care and qualification support
• A 4-year (8000 hour) fixed term contract
• Monday to Friday day roster, 40 hours per week
• A full starting tool kit
• UniMed Health Insurance
• 5 weeks paid annual leave
• Coverage of all training related costs during block course including meals, accommodation and travel

Choose from the following locations to start your apprenticeship career:

• Clandeboye Site (Canterbury)
• Darfield Site (Canterbury)
• Studholme Site (South Canterbury)
• Edendale Site (Southland)
• Pahiatua Site (Manawatū-Whanganui)
• Whareroa Site (Taranaki)
• Edgecumbe Site (Bay of Plenty)
• Kauri Site (Northland)

Mōu | About you

We're looking for people who are curious, motivated to learn, and excited about building a career in Mechanical Engineering.

To be considered, you'll need to:

• Have achieved, or be in the process of achieving, NCEA Level 2 with Maths and English, or a relevant pre-trade qualification
• Have an interest and aptitude for practical, hands-on engineering work
• Enjoy solving problems and learning new skills
• Be comfortable working with different people and in a variety of environments
• Hold, or be working towards obtaining, a Restricted Driver Licence by the time you commence the apprenticeship
• Be a New Zealand Citizen, Australian Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident
• Be 16 years of age or older

Most importantly, we're looking for people who are eager to learn, willing to get stuck in, and motivated to build a long-term career in the trades.

He Wāhi mō te Katoa | Together, we're shaping a future of inclusion

Inclusion is key to our Co-operative. We're building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve because we believe different perspectives drive better decisions, stronger innovation and better outcomes.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, cultures and experiences. We particularly encourage applications from wāhine, Māori, Pasifika and others who are underrepresented in engineering.

If you require any support or accommodations throughout the recruitment process, please contact earlycareers@fonterra.com. We're committed to ensuring everyone can participate fully and be at their best.

Tātou, tātou.

Applications close on Tuesday 1st September 2026.