Head Shepherd

• Competitive salary
• Health and life insurance
• 26,000 stock units across this breeding and finishing operation

The scale and challenge of East Coast hill country, while still being within reach of Gisborne and the lifestyle that comes with the region.

THE OPPORTUNITY

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.

ABOUT YOU

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:

• Practical experience working with sheep and cattle
• Experience in animal health, stock handling and mustering
• A capable team of working dogs suitable for the role
• The ability to plan daily work and adapt when conditions change
• A respectful, team-focused approach
• An interest in using farm systems and technology, with support available to learn
• A strong commitment to safety, animal welfare and caring for the land
• A current driver licence
• Horse experience, or a willingness to develop it.

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.

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.

THE FARM

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.

BENEFITS

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.

APPLY NOW

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.