Noticeboard & Events | Issue 219

Apr 9, 2026

Noticeboard

Events

If you have an event that would be of interest to the deer farming industry, please email info@deernz.org with details.

Your Farm. Your Power. - 13 April, Southland
Maximizing Deer Farming - CWC - 13 April, Canterbury
Matawai Deer Park Field Day - 22 April, Gisborne
Freshwater Farm Planning workshop - 22 April, Canterbury
The Big Tick Day Out - 24 April, Cambridge
MSD/Allflex Deer Industry Photo Competition - Entries close 28 April
Deer Industry Conference 2026 - 13 May, Palmerston North
Next Generation Programme 2026 - 6/7 August, Waikato

Farm plan clock ticking in Southland

Certified Farm Environmental Management Plans (FEMPs) are required in Southland, by the end of May, as part of the Southland Water and Land Plan. These plans are based on government freshwater requirements, plus some rules that are specific to the region. The rules apply to all livestock farms over 20 hectares.

If your farm in Southland it is your responsibility to finalise your plan and engage a farm plan certifier to ‘certify’ your plan before it is submitted to Environment Southland (ES).

ES has developed a number of resources to help farmers create and update their own plan. These can be found on www.es.govt.nz (search for “farm plans”).

Alternatively, you can engage a consultant to help you draw-up a plan. A list of approved certifiers can be found on the ES website.

MSD/Allflex Deer Industry Photo Competition

2025 winner: Leeza-Marie Pratt - Sunset roar

It's time to get snapping again! Gather up those great shots you have buried, or head out on the farm with your camera and enter the MSD Animal Health/Allflex Deer Industry Photo Competition.

Entries close 5:00pm, 28 April 2026

See the event page for more details >>

Job interest

Enora

Enora is based in Winton and looking for work on a deer or elk farm. Enora has a BTS in Animal Production from France, with good knowledge in animal health, nutrition and farm management (cattle, sheep and pigs), along with hands-on experience from farm work and internships.

Enora also has practical experience working with animals, including sled dogs in different countries where I was responsible for their daily care and management.

Since arriving in New Zealand, Enora has been working on farms to gain local experience:

beef farm in Bruce Bay (stock handling, fencing, calf care)
sheep farm during harvest (auger work, animal care, fencing)

I’m hard-working, used to physical outdoor work, and very keen to get into the deer industry.

Enora has a vehicle, a Working Holiday visa, IRD number and NZ bank account and is happy to send through a more detailed CV.

Contact Enora on enora.pascault@gmail.com

Sachet Nepali

Sachet is from Nepal and is interested in learning deer farming and modern agriculture in New Zealand. Sachet is keen know if there is any volunteer or training opportunities for international learners.

After learning, Sachet and team plan to shoot videos and share knowledge with local farmers in Nepal to support agricultural development.

Contact Sachet on sachetnepali70@gmail.com

Dane Brewer, Sussex, England

I am looking for work as part of a working holiday, with deer farming in mind. I currently work as a Maintenance Manager managing a small team for a contractor providing landscape and facilities maintenance services to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), with my role being aimed at the rural estate. My works include track and access works, tree safety and forestry works, firing range maintenance, estate inspections, and project management when required. I am engaged daily with a wide range of stakeholders from members of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) soldiers, members of the public, and local authorities.

I have experience working with livestock, mainly cattle, particularly during my time working in Austria, and sheep at my family’s smallholding. I have some limited experience with park deer, having assisted in a small number of culls on deer parks, and a deer move, capturing a small herd of fallow bucks to be removed from the park.

I have good work ethic and enjoy very much working with animals, I have done a fair bit of fencing, mainly stock fencing in a previous role, and like to keep my hand in when the opportunity arises. I have experience in vegetation control, manually, chemically and with machinery as well as tractor driving. I would consider myself very much part of whatever team I find myself part of, and I am easy to get along with, according to feedback from people I have worked with.

In my personal life, I am a keen outdoorsman, having been bought my first air rifle at 13, and continuing shotgun and rifle sports, including pest and predator control through lamping foxes and rabbits to decoying pigeons and deer stalking. I have also completed two nationally recognised deer stalking qualifications. I ski in the winter in Austria, and enjoy taking myself on motorcycle trips, both camping and longer travels across Europe, I aim this year to ride down to the toe of Italy and back.

Contact Dane Brewer on danebrewer@hotmail.com

Taofeek Lawal

Hello,

I am an experienced Farm Manager and Plant Science professional currently seeking a sponsorship opportunity with an Accredited Employer in New Zealand's primary sector. With a WES-Certified degree and a career built on sustainable crop and livestock management, I am eager to contribute to the New Zealand agricultural industry.

Key Qualifications for your vacancies:

Technical Expertise: I hold a B.Agric in Plant Science and have extensive experience in crop health, animal breeding, and sustainable farm planning.

Leadership & Supervision: I have spent years managing commercial farm operations, overseeing production cycles for livestock and arable crops while managing local labour teams.

Logistics & Supply Chain: My current role as a Logistics Officer has sharpened my skills in stock level management, quality control, and transport efficiency.

I am specifically seeking an Accredited Employer to facilitate a work visa and am prepared to relocate to New Zealand immediately upon securing a role. Iam looking for a partner organization that values long-term growth and technical expertise.

Contact Taofeek on kenneylawal25@gmail.com | +234-8142380022

Joke of the month

Two Aussies were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up.

A blonde walks by and asked them what they were doing and Gazza replied, “We're supposed to be finding the height of this flagpole, but we don't have a ladder.”

The blonde took out an adjustable spanner from her bag, loosened a few bolts and laid the flagpole down.

She got a tape measure out of her pocket, took a few measurements, and announced that it was 18 feet 6 inches.

Then, she walked off.

Gazza said to Bazza, “Isn't that just like a blonde! We need the bloody height, and she gives us the length.”