Job Details

Category: Sheep and Beef
Location: Hawke's Bay

Rural Directions

Discover Your Next Career Adventure: Infrastructure & Maintenance General Hand Wanted!

• Located in the rural community of Tikokino, Central Hawke’s Bay.

• Be part of a positive, values-driven work environment.

• Own your tasks on a large-scale, well-established breeding & finishing operation.

 

Your Future Workplace
Smedley Station was gifted to the Crown in 1919 by Josiah Howard to operate as a working farm dedicated to training young people in practical farming. Smedley exists as a training farm of excellence to develop the very best future farmers.

Located in Tikokino in Central Hawke’s Bay, the farming operation spans 5,600ha and winters 30,000su across four blocks. The station is administered by Public Trust, with guidance from the Howard Estate Advisory Board, and has over 90 years of experience in cadet training.

Your Role
As the Maintenance & Infrastructure General Hand, you will support the Station Manager and Block Managers in delivering a wide range of farming and infrastructure tasks across the station. This hands-on role suits a practical, solutions-focused individual with strong general farming skills who can work both independently and as part of a team, including alongside cadets.

The role involves carrying out general maintenance and repair work such as fencing, carpentry, water systems, and plant upkeep, along with rental property inspections to meet Healthy Homes Standards. You will also assist with daily farm operations, including weed and pest control, tractor work, and occasional stock work, while maintaining strong communication and supporting the wider farm team.


What You’ll Bring:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal relationship skills with the ability to relate to a wide range of people.
• Strong general skills, such as fencing, carpentry, water systems.
• Experience handling and managing livestock. Organised, well planned, self-motivated and punctual.
• A passion for and the ability to lead, manage, mentor, motivate and support the development of young people.
• Leads by example and behaves in a positive manner consistent with Smedley Station values and policy.
• Experience operating and maintaining farm machinery and equipment.
• Must have a current Full New Zealand Drivers licence.

To read more about the position and farm layout please visit – https://bit.ly/3PCeadg

Why You’ll Love This Job

• Opportunity to work within an inclusive farming environment, where there is the chance to further your skills and progress your knowledge and responsibility.
• The Owner’s provide an excellent work culture and value their people.
• Opportunity to work on a largescale breeding and finishing operation, that has established some excellent infrastructure, it will give you ownership with your tasks.
• A modern farming operation with a close relationship with their agents and processors.
• The station’s location allows easy access to a variety of recreational activities, from sports to hunting and fishing.
• Work with up-to-date technologies and efficient farm management systems.
• Located in Central Hawke’s Bay, 40km west of Waipukurau and 60km from Hastings, offering easy access to a range of recreational activities including sport, hunting, and fishing.
• A work vehicle is supplied for travel to and from the station.

To apply for this role, please head to www.ruraldirections.co.nz/jobs

Applications close Sunday 19th April 2026

Only job seekers who have NZ working rights will be eligible for this role.

Date Posted: 2026-03-30