Gap year in New Zealand, experience on the farm: this program is intended for those who wish to discover New Zealand culture and life on the farm as well as to improve their language skills. It’s a unique chance to open up to new horizons, and to learn English! Whether you are passionate about the world of agriculture or just want a new experience, you will learn a lot from your farm stay in New Zealand.

Like all of our programs combining gap year and work , this project in New Zealand offers theoretical training as well as practical experience within a local structure, to allow you to obtain a complete professionalizing experience.

Farm stays in working mode are reserved for people over 18 years old. For minors, it is possible to stay at the farm as part of a language stay, a program more supervised by a local structure.

Duration of the internship on the farm

Depending on their level of experience, candidates can take part in a 4 to 24 week program during the gap year in New Zealand.

Cultural experience, 4 to 12 weeks: without previous experience in agriculture or in the equine sector, the placement cannot exceed 12 weeks.

Experienced participants, 4-24 weeks: Applicants with rural experience may stay for up to 24 weeks.

If the host families accept it, the stays can be extended. You must notify us with at least 6 weeks notice.

In addition, if you wish to discover several farms, you can make multiple reservations: reductions may be granted to you.

Your tasks:

Agricultural work

Feeding horses or pigs, milking cows, shearing sheep, maintaining vehicles, digging holes and maintaining fields, participating in maintenance and renovation work, these are some of the daily tasks that will be entrusted to you. On the farm, there is always something to do and learn. Do your best, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!

Help your host family

Sometimes, depending on your desires and the activities of the farm, your host family may ask you to take care of the children. You will help them get ready for school, prepare meals, play with them. If you have no experience of farm work, you may also be asked to spend your time with the children to allow the parents to devote themselves to agricultural work. As with an au-pair program, the number of hours and the tasks requested are not really defined.

You will also help with all the activities at home, as if it were your home! So you will be asked to cook, clean, or other things. You will need to be able to get up early, keep your bedroom and living areas clean, and practice impeccable personal hygiene.

You will take part in all the activities on the farm and at the house, and in return, your host family will graciously offer you room and board. It will also allow you to accompany him in his activities: shopping, sporting outings, etc.

Farms available for an internship

You will be placed on small family farms during this gap year in New Zealand. The more flexible your selection criteria, the more likely you are to find a placement!

Depending on your wishes, your experience, the season and the length of your stay, you will have the choice between different types of farms:

• Dairy Farms: They’re awesome, and there’s always a cow to milk!
• Cattle and sheep farms: These animals are quite autonomous, and the tasks will be varied. In the spring, the sterilization of animals is part of the work of the farmers.
• Horse farms and training farms: Candidates must have solid prior experience and good skills to be placed in this type of farms.
• Horse farms: This is where the riders train. The riding season runs from September to the end of March. Applicants should have good riding and horse care skills.
• Mixed farms: Most farms are quite mixed. They often have several types of animals, and recreational horses.
• Guest Ranches: Places are limited, this project is mainly available in summer. You will need to help with the upkeep of the facility and have previous experience in the equestrian industry and customer service during your gap year in New Zealand.