New Zealand seeks skilled farm workers

FARM skills are all you need if you fancy a trip to New Zealand. Shortage of farm staff has left many positions available, ideal for those who wish to combine work with travel and exploration.

In a recent survey of 5,000 New Zealand dairy farmers, 45% said unavailability of skilled and competent staff affected their businesses, and in a survey of 351 farmers, 25% said were forced into once-daily milking because of labour shortages.

Aiming to solve the labour shortage are companies like Intern Options, which have a range of job vacancies for those with farming experience to work throughout New Zealand.

They say they can place you on one farm for the entire time or you can move around New Zealand taking time off between jobs to explore this beautiful country. Students, working holiday-makers who want to earn some money and see New Zealand, or experienced farm workers aiming to move into management positions are invited to apply. They will be paid at least €245 per week — which is all spending money, because accommodation, food and travel to jobs are included in the package. More experienced workers will be paid more, and overtime work is available.

Intern Options offer to organise accommodation, induction, bank accounts, visa assistance, flights from Ireland, and advice.

The company visits Ireland regularly and will be at the Down Under Expo (www.downunder.ie) in the RDS, Dublin on September 27 and 28. They can be contacted by email at [e-mail], or at 0044 207 353 7699. See their website at: www.internoptions.com/farm.htm.