Job Details

Category: Deer Stock Manager
Location: Kuratau

Rural Directions

Deer Unit Manager | Waihi Pukawa

Elevate Your Career: Manage a standout deer unit in a top-tier venison business.

• Located in Kuratau – 15 minutes from Tūrangi.

• Collaborative and supportive team across sheep, beef, and deer operations.

• Play a key role in a leading North Island venison operation.

Your Future Workplace
Waihi Pukawa is a large-scale, Māori Trust-owned farming operation spanning 3,900 hectares (2,750 effective), located near Kuratau on the southwestern shores of Lake Taupō, just 15 minutes from Tūrangi. The property runs a semi-intensive system wintering around 33,000 stock units across deer, sheep, and beef, with deer as the priority enterprise.

The 1,500-hectare deer unit is a key feature of the business and is the largest venison operation in the North Island, supported by breeding-focused sheep and cattle policies that provide flexibility and assist with pasture management. With well-developed infrastructure, easy contour, and a high proportion of cultivatable land, the farm is set up for efficiency, undertaking all cultivation in-house.

Your Role
As the Deer Unit Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day management of a large, high-performing deer operation. This is a hands-on role suited to an experienced stockperson with a calm, practical approach, strong animal husbandry skills, and a capable team of working dogs.

You will oversee all aspects of the deer unit, including pasture and grazing management, animal health, velveting, and compliance requirements, while maintaining accurate records and ensuring best practice systems are followed.
Leading the deer operation, you’ll work closely with a small team and coordinate additional support during peak periods, while also contributing to the wider farm through staff support, maintenance, and collaboration with the sheep and beef units.

Well-supported by strong infrastructure and systems, this role offers the opportunity to take real ownership, plan and execute seasonal workloads, and play a key role in the success of one of the North Island’s leading venison operations.

What You’ll Bring:

• Proven deer farming experience with confident, low-stress stock handling.
• Strong animal health knowledge, including velveting (or willingness to gain certification).
• Good pasture and feed management skills.
• Organised with accurate record keeping and NAIT awareness.
• Leadership ability and experience supporting or managing staff.
• Practical skills in fencing and general farm maintenance.
• Well-controlled team of 3–5 working dogs.
• Able to work independently and take ownership.
• Positive attitude with a strong team approach.

Why You’ll Love This Job

• Opportunity to lead one of the largest venison operations in the North Island, gaining exposure to a high-performing and progressive deer system.
• Support to gain further qualifications, including velveting certification and ongoing professional development.
• Work within a well-resourced farming business with excellent infrastructure, systems, and in-house capability.
• Be part of a collaborative and supportive wider team across sheep, beef, and deer operations.
• Scope to grow your career within a large-scale farming business, with autonomy and ownership of a key enterprise.

To read more about the position & farm set up or to apply please visit
www.ruraldirections.co.nz/jobs - Deer Unit Manager – Waihi Pukawa

Applications close Sunday 24th May 2026

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

This employer is not accredited.

Date Posted: 2026-04-30