Types of Farms

Farming is huge in New Zealand! There are a wide variety of farm placements that you can consider when arranging the details of your future travel. 

"New Zealand is the largest dairy and sheep meat exporter in the world, and a major global supplier of beef, wool, kiwifruit, apples and seafood" (quote supplied by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise- click here to check out their writing on Agribusiness).

Naturally, New Zealand is built from farming communities and families. According to the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, as of August 2012 farming has generated 71% of New Zealand's merchandise exports. 

Dairy Farms
Dairy Farms provide 26% of New Zealand’s total goods exports.

To learn more about Dairy in New Zealand, click here to see NZIER's 2010 report : Dairy’s role in sustaining New Zealand, or check out our About NZ page. 

Dairy placements generally start in July and ideally finish in May, although shorter times are also OK. Applications are accepted at all times for dairy but there is the biggest demand for a July start, for which we need applications by February/March. 

Agriculture
Beef, sheep, pigs, field crops & machinery, or any mix of these. 

Beef & sheep: New Zealand has a very sophisticated meat industry. Almost all of New Zealand beef and sheep farms have a free-range, grass feed, year round open-field system.

Crop Farming: Some common crops in New Zealand include: cereal grains (wheat, barley,oats, etc.), small vegetable seeds (for sprouting), clover seed, grass seed, and hops. 

Check out our About NZ page for more NZ Agriculture links. 

Agriculture placements generally start in August-October and run until March-May. If you are interested in applying for an Agriculture placement, please have your application completed fully and submitted by April-May.

Horticulture
Fruit, vegetables, landscaping, and plant nurseries. 

There is a wealthy abundance of fresh fruit, veges, and general produce in New Zealand. Spend your days working with your hands in the soil of the islands.  

To learn more about Horticulture in New Zealand, click here to see Fresh Facts - a 2014 publication with facts and statistics about horticultural production and exports provided by Horticulture New Zealand and Plant & Food Research 

Horticulture placements start from August-October and run through until March-May. If you are interested in applying for an Horticulture placement, please have your application completed fully and submitted by April-May.

Agri-home
Working in the home and around the farm.

An Agri-home placement consists of living with a Kiwi family, and could consist of meal preparation, childcare, general house upkeep, and well as working outside completing general farm duties, and garden maintenance. 

Agri-home placements run all of the time. If you are interested in applying for an Agri-home placement, you can submit your application whenever you would like. 

Oenology - Wine
Rural Exchange New Zealand started with oenology, so it is very close to our hearts. 

The NZ Wine industry is strong on aromatic varieties and has quickly forged an international reputation for the high quality of its wines, in particular what many experts consider to be among the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc. Other varieties produced to a very high standard include Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and the fuller-bodied reds including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

There are about 600 wineries, ranging in size from large international corporate-owned businesses to small family-run enterprises.

Marlborough in the South Island is the largest wine-growing region and home of the famous Sauvignon Blanc, followed by Hawkes Bay in the North Island. Other major wine-growing regions are Gisborne, Auckland, Canterbury and, near the bottom of the South Island, Central Otago, which has the world’s most southern vineyards.

Oenology placements generally start February/March. If you are interested in applying for an Oenology placement, please have your application completed fully and submitted by October.

Equine
New Zealand has an excellent reputation for breeding and training of horses. Many New Zealanders have competed successfully in Olympic, Badminton and other equine events throughout the world, and thoroughbred and standardbred studs regularly produce top class racehorses.
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Most of the thoroughbred and sports horse studs and training facilities are based in the North Island, in the picturesque Waikato region, and Hawkes Bay, while Canterbury is the stronghold for the standardbred industry.