Cadetships are a popular option for young people considering a career in the sheep and beef sector who want to learn practical skills while completing their formal qualifications.
Located near Hunterville, the Otiwhiti Station Land Based Training School teaches hill country sheep and cattle skills to a select group of cadets.
Get to know some of the current Otiwhiti cadets Molly Harris, Abbey Sandford, Maia Parker, and Alistair Cameron below.
Molly Harris, 18, Manukau
What are you currently focusing on in the cadetship?
I am absolutely loving being a cadet at Otiwhiti so far, I'm enjoying all of the opportunities I am being given to get out into the farming community and do exactly what I love. At the moment, I'm focusing on advancing my skills and getting my heading dog to a standard where I am able to get a huntaway!
What made you choose a career in ag and choose a cadetship?
I've lived on a small farm pretty much my entire life, so it's always been a strong interest and love of mine which made me steer into a career in agriculture. With going into a cadetship, I knew I would make lifelong friendships as well as be able to support each other along the way.
What is your favourite thing about farming?
I love everything to do with farming, but I’d say my favourite thing is mustering on horseback. Being up on the hills, with your dogs and horse I reckon there's nothing better.
Abbey Sandford, 18, Hawera
What are you currently focusing on in the cadetship?
Right now, I’m trying to learn the ins and outs of mustering but also training my dog. Trying to get my pup into a mustering situation and let her find her own ways when we go out on the farm. This part is exciting as I can see the transition from her primarily being in the training paddock to becoming a full-time working dog.
What made you choose a career in ag and choose a cadetship?
I always wanted a career in agriculture as I was brought up around the dairy farming industry. Sheep and beef farming always caught my attention because there is such a variety of jobs and you aren’t doing the same thing every day. The reason why I choose the cadetship was so I had the opportunity to learn while and already be one step ahead before going into employment.
What is your favourite thing about farming?
My favourite thing about farming is being outside and spending time with animals. A lot of the time farming can be stressful but when there are sunny days and clear skies I wouldn’t want to be stuck inside doing an office job.
Maia Parker, 18, Raumati Beach
What are you currently focusing on in the cadetship?
I am focusing a lot of my attention in breaking in my heading pup at the moment. It is a challenging job but so rewarding when you start seeing everything coming together and your pup gaining heaps of confidence out on farm.
What made you choose a career in ag and choose a cadetship?
I have always loved farming, especially sheep and beef because it provides a job with heaps of variety. I chose to do a cadetship as I don't come off farm, so it was an obvious choice to help build my confidence in the agriculture sector and give me a step up before going into the workforce.
What is your favourite thing about farming?
I love farming because I get to be outside and working with animals. Having a previous job that was indoors, I couldn't imagine life back there now, especially when it is a stunning day that I could be out on the hill tops with my dog.
Alistair Cameron, 18, Wanganui
What are you currently focusing on in the cadetship?
I am focusing on training up my dogs and learning different techniques and ways of doing things. I am finding Otiwhiti cadetship helpful in enhancing the skills I have had learned with prior experience
What made you choose a career in ag and choose a cadetship?
I chose to come to Otiwhiti as I wanted to gain my Level 3 and 4 in agriculture and loved being outdoors.
What is your favourite thing about farming?
One of my favourite things about farming is the variation of skill sets required for the job and the ever-changing work environment.
B+LNZ’s support for cadetships
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) support cadetships across the country as part of our commitment to ensure the sector gains and retains talented and motivated people.
Olivia Weatherburn, B+LNZ National Extension Programme Manager, says people who have trained at a cadet farm are highly sought after by employers.
“Places at cadet farms are hotly contested, but it's well worth trying for a place. If you get accepted to a cadet farm, you'll go through a structured training programme and come out a well-rounded employee, ready for work in the sheep and beef industry,” she says.
There are options across the country. Learn more on B+LNZ's website here.
More about Otiwhiti
Located near Hunterville, Otiwhiti Station Land Based Training School is a place for aspiring cadets to start their journey into hill country sheep and cattle farming. Here’s some of the key benefits of the programme:
- Accelerated learning: Otiwhiti cadets start with an intensive one-year programme to quickly learn essential skills.
- Year two employment: After their first year, cadets move directly into jobs, combining practical experience with what they've learned in the classroom.
- Working dogs: By the end of the second year, cadets have 5–6 well-trained working dogs, a valuable asset in farming.
- Farmer partners: Cadets work with our partner farmers each week, gaining exposure to 500,000 stock units and connecting with around 100 people in the industry.
- Real-work reference: Graduates leave with a real work reference, not just a school endorsement, after their second year of employment.
“At Otiwhiti, we develop not only skilled farmers but also resilient, industry-ready individuals,” says Charles Duncan from Otiwhiti Station.
Learn more on their official website here.