New Zealand Exchange Programme

Work on a New Zealand Dairy Farm with Max People

Farm the world. Grow your future. Live your dream

Gain global experience, grow your farming skills, and explore stunning New Zealand. Your dream job awaits.

FRS Farm Relief Services (FRS) has partnered with Max People, New Zealand’s leading specialist in dairy farm placements, to give you the opportunity of a lifetime. Each year, Max People places around 100 agricultural students and experienced farm workers on quality-assured dairy farms across New Zealand.

Why choose Max People?

Trusted experts: Max People has over 15 years’ experience managing placements for Irish students and workers. They work closely with top agricultural colleges in Ireland and the UK to ensure placements meet high standards of care and compliance.

Fully supported: From visa assistance to airport pickup, banking setup, and ongoing pastoral care, Max People take care of all the details so you can focus on gaining valuable experience.

Quality farms & safe workplaces: All placements are on farms with proven records in employment standards, health, and safety and hosting international workers.

Work and learn: Work alongside experienced farmers, earn a competitive wage, and bring home new skills and a fresh perspective that will stand out on your CV.

Adventure awaits: Enjoy New Zealand’s incredible scenery and lifestyle on your days off—whether it’s mountains, lakes, or vibrant rural communities.

The programme

Placements typically run from July to December, aligning with New Zealand’s busy calving and milking season. Most placements are 6 months, but longer options are available.

You’ll gain hands-on experience in:

Calving, milking, and animal health

Operating farm machinery and irrigation systems

Day-to-day farm operations on herds ranging from 600 to 2,000 cows

What’s included

✔️ Placement on a fully vetted dairy farm
✔️ Assistance with Working Holiday Visas
✔️ Airport pickup and local orientation
✔️ Help setting up bank accounts, IRD tax numbers, and phones
✔️ Ongoing support throughout your stay, including farm visits
✔️ Regular social events with other Irish workers in New Zealand

Ready to get started?

Max People makes the process straightforward and stress-free. Whether you’re a student needing to complete a placement or a young farmer wanting to broaden your horizons, this is your chance to work, grow, and create stories for life on the other side of the world.

Apply Here

General Minimum Requirements

To be eligible for the New Zealand–Ireland Dairy Exchange Programme, applicants must:
· Be a minimum of 18 years old

· Have at least 12 months experience either dairy or drystock

· Meet Immigration New Zealand’s visa requirements for the Working Holiday Visa

· Have no previous criminal convictions

· Hold a full driver’s licence

Process

Once we receive your application, a Max People representative will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.

· You’ll be invited to an initial interview by video call.

· In some cases, you may also have a follow-up interview with a host farmer before your placement is confirmed.

· If successful, you’ll receive a formal letter of employment offer.

· Our team will then work with you on the details including farm placement, visa guidance, travel planning, and pastoral support.

· We aim to confirm your suitability as quickly as possible and will keep you updated at every stage. In most cases, the process takes around two weeks from interview to confirmed placement

· At Max People, we make the process straightforward and fully supported so you can focus on getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Work Visa

To live and work in New Zealand, you must hold a valid Working Holiday Visa.

Max People can manage the entire visa process on your behalf through a Licensed Immigration Consultant, ensuring everything is handled professionally and in line with Immigration New Zealand’s standards.

There is a cost involved for this service, which is strictly cost recovery only and covers:

· The official visa application fee set by Immigration New Zealand

· The Licensed Immigration Advisor’s fee for processing your application

If you prefer, you are also welcome to complete the visa application yourself.

At Max People, our goal is to make the process as simple, transparent, and supported as possible so you can focus on preparing for your New Zealand farming adventure.

Employment

Max People has strong, trusted relationships with dairy employers in New Zealand. As part of our 24 hour pastoral care commitment, every host farm is carefully vetted to ensure they meet high standards of employment, health and safety, and worker wellbeing.

Our employer checklist includes:

· Demonstrating good workplace practices and a proven history of compliance with all immigration and employment laws

· Meeting requirements under key legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, Employment Relations Act, Minimum Wage Act, and relevant leave entitlements

· Only employing workers with the legal right to work in New Zealand

· Providing safe, quality on-farm accommodation that meets Max People’s high standards

. Max People carries out ongoing farm visits to ensure compliance is maintained and to provide continued support for both our workers and our host farmers

At Max People, we don’t just place you in a job, we make sure you’re in a safe, fair, and supportive environment where you can thrive

Learning on Farm

At Max People, we believe the best training comes from hands-on experience. While on your placement, you’ll work alongside experienced farmers and gain real-world skills that will strengthen your farming career.

You’ll be exposed to a variety of daily farm operations that reflect the seasonality of the dairy industry, including:

· Milking and milk quality practices

· Calf rearing and housing

· Animal health and welfare

· Pasture management and feed budgets

· Farm maintenance and machinery use

· Effluent and irrigation systems

· Working safely with tractors, quads, and farm equipment

Every day on the farm is an opportunity to build your skills, grow your confidence, and learn the practical systems that keep New Zealand dairying world-class.

With Max People’s ongoing pastoral care and regular farm visits, you’ll always have support while you learn and contribute to your host farm.