The New Zealand dairy industry stands as a pillar of strength in the country’s economy, contributing 45% of the $27 billion in export earnings annually. This sector thrives in part due to the hard work of a diverse workforce, much of which comprises international workers who play an indispensable role. Jane Muir, people team leader from New Zealand Dairy highlighted at the 2025 IDF World Dairy Summit in Santiago, Chile: “New Zealand dairy survives and thrives because of our efforts and immigration.”
A Growing Workforce Challenge
New Zealand has a total on-farm workforce of 41,000 people, Muir says, with 60% of those being employees and business owners.
“Importantly, 36% of the total want to continue to grow,” she says.
New Zealand’s dairy sector faces a pressing workforce challenge. Primarily located in rural areas, where population growth lags even further behind, it becomes essential to rely heavily on immigration to fill the gap.
“Most working-age people want to live in the cities,” Muir says, which leaves rural sectors with limited domestic options.
Immigration as a Key Ingredient
Immigration has been a critical pathway for sustaining and propelling the industry forward. Without it, farms might struggle to maintain operations due to a shortage of manpower. The talk emphasized the goal is not just to fill roles temporarily but to create workplaces and jobs that are desirable to locals equally.
“The birth rates in rural New Zealand are even lower, and there’s so many career choices available to our young people today,” Muir says. “So, the role of immigration in New Zealand dairy industry is important, critical even, to keep our farms running. Without immigration, we would be struggling.”
New Zealand Dairy and its partners are investing in initiatives to attract, grow and retain talent. They aim to reach a point where the dairy industry can thrive with local workers. Meanwhile, immigration provides essential support, allowing the dairy industry to continue growing and evolving.
“Our focus is very clearly on ensuring we have great jobs and great workplaces so that we can attract and retain great people; great jobs and great workplaces will be there for all people no matter where they originated,” she says. “It benefits everyone, and it is also the right thing to do. Dairy New Zealand and our partners focus our energy into a large range of initiatives to attract, grow and retain people.”
Pathways to Prosperity
The New Zealand dairy workforce benefits from an inclusive immigration policy with multiple visa types facilitating this influx. Muir explains how most international workers start at the farm assistant level, gradually progressing to roles like herd manager, assistant manager or even farm manager, depending on their skills and attitudes. These pathways ensure workers are not just fillers of temporary gaps but active participants in the growth and innovation of New Zealand dairy farms.
“Almost everyone on a New Zealand dairy farm starts their career as a farm assistant, and how far people progress depends on their skills and attitude,” she says, noting that to be a business owner, this green New Zealand pathway requires being a New Zealand resident.
Success Stories
Muir shares personal stories of Karolina and Marcelo, and Summit and Manoj who epitomize the opportunities available in New Zealand’s dairy industry. They arrived on short-term visas and progressed through hard work, eventually owning their farms. Such narratives emphasize what’s possible with dedication and the right opportunities, showcasing the value of maintaining open pathways for both immigrants and locals.
Challenges and Opportunities
Every opportunity comes with its set of challenges. Immigration policies often shift with political changes, creating uncertainty. Nonetheless, diversity within the workforce brings innovation and resilience to the dairy sector. Muir also highlighted communication challenges, noting the importance of supporting international workers’ English proficiency.
“Once people start working on a New Zealand dairy farm, they experience a great job and a great workplace. Those are the things that we’re committed to,” she says. “Because while immigration is not our focus, the New Zealand dairy sector is better and brighter because of our international team.”
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