Job Details

Category: Sheep and Beef
Location: Taupo

Rural Directions

Experienced Shepherd | Lochinver Station

Join the young, motivated team at Lochinver Station and enjoy large-scale stock work, experienced support & genuine opportunities to grow your career.

• Live close to Taupo with excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.

• Supportive team environment with plenty of opportunities to learn.

• Modern farming systems and technology, including Halter.

Your Role
An exciting opportunity for an Experienced Shepherd to join the team at Lochinver Station. With around 90% of the role focused on stock work and plenty of opportunity for dog work, you’ll gain valuable experience across large-scale and intensive farming systems.

Join a young, motivated team with experienced Stock Managers who are committed to developing their people, with exposure to large mobs, modern infrastructure, Halter and both breeding and finishing systems.

The previous Shepherd’s progression to a Head Shepherd role on another property highlights the opportunities available to grow and take on greater responsibility.

What You’ll Bring:

• At least 12 months’ full-time shepherding experience, with proven stockmanship skills and the ability to confidently handle large mobs.
• A minimum of 4 broken-in, well-controlled working dogs and a genuine interest in developing your dog work.
• A driven and motivated attitude, with a strong work ethic, reliability and plenty of energy to get stuck in.
• A team-focused approach, with the ability to work well alongside others and communicate clearly and respectfully within a large team.
• A positive outlook, good sense of humour and the resilience to work effectively in a busy, fast-paced environment.
• Attitude is important. While experience and capability matter, Lochinver is willing to back the right person who is keen to learn, contribute and grow with the business.

What’s on Offer

• Strong support and development from experienced Stock Managers who are committed to sharing their knowledge and helping their people build their skills.
• Work across a diverse mixed-land operation, gaining experience across both breeding and finishing systems.
• Large-scale stock work and mustering, providing plenty of opportunity to develop your stockmanship and fine-tune your dog work.
• A supportive and inclusive team environment, where you’ll be encouraged to contribute, learn and continue developing your farming knowledge.
• Greater ownership in your role, with the scale of the operation providing opportunities to take responsibility for your work and build confidence.
• Single, shared accommodation is provided.
•  Lochinver Station is located in the Rangitaiki area, 25 minutes south of Taupō on the Thermal Highway. Taupō offers a great range of recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, biking and hunting.

About Lochinver Station
Rimanui Farms is a large-scale North Island sheep and beef business, supported by a strong on-farm team and excellent recreational facilities.

Lochinver Station is an iconic 11,000-hectare property, with approximately 7,000 hectares effective, located 25km from Taupō.

The station winters around 70,000 stock units, including 27,000 breeding ewes and 2,500 breeding cows and replacements. With 4,000 hectares of cultivatable land, the property supports a diverse mix of breeding, finishing and support systems, backed by extensive, high-quality infrastructure.

To Apply Please Visit - https://www.ruraldirections.co.nz/jobs?ja-job=1125441

Applications close Monday 26th October 2026

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Nominate a Mate - https://www.ruraldirections.co.nz/nominate-a-mate

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

Date Posted: 2026-10-07