News
Read about the employment market, interesting job opportunities in the primary sector and keep up to date with what’s happening at New Zealand’s best primary sector recruitment company.
Understanding Minimum Wage Obligations
January 2026
Employing staff comes with a range of responsibilities, and one of the most important is ensuring wages meet New Zealand’s minimum employment standards. With recent and upcoming changes to the minimum wage on 1st April 2026, it’s critical that employers understand what compliance looks like in practice where salaried roles, long hours, and accommodation are involved.
Rural Directions Salary Survey
December 2025
At Rural Directions, our focus in 2025 has been on strengthening what matters most: delivering a recruitment experience built on integrity, trust, and a genuine connection to New Zealand’s primary sector.
A key part of this commitment is ensuring job seekers feel valued, informed, and well prepared throughout the recruitment process.
A Pathway to Professional Farm Management and Beyond
December 2025
The demands on people working in the primary sector are shifting quickly and staying ahead means continually developing your skills and experience. The suggested pathway below outlines how someone might progress toward becoming a professional drystock manager. Everyone’s starting point is different, so you can step in wherever matches your background and experience.
The Rise of AI in Recruitment
October 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the globe, and recruitment is no exception. From automated CV screening and chatbots answering job seeker queries, to predictive analytics identifying potential hires, AI is streamlining processes and saving businesses valuable time. On the surface, this seems like a win–win: faster placements, reduced administration, and more efficient hiring however there is a flipside.
Farm Assurance & the People Piece
September 2025
NZFAP Plus is becoming a regular topic of conversation with our farming clients as more businesses embark on the journey to enhance the management practices of people, stock, natural resources and biosecurity.
At Rural Directions we are well-informed on the requirements of NZFAP Plus because of our own farm investments and our sister company MyEnviro.
20 Years in Business
August 2025
Back in 2005, we had a lightbulb moment… what if we didn’t just help shepherds find their next job but supported their career paths?
Some traditional farmers scratched their heads and said, “What the hell are you on about?”, but to me, it was clear. If we wanted to attract and retain great people in our industry, we had to start treating them as assets, not liabilities.
Safety Tips for the Winter
July 2025
Life on the farm offers plenty of fulfilment, but it also comes with serious risks. From manoeuvring heavy equipment to managing unpredictable animals or dealing with chemicals, staying safe demands constant vigilance. Add to the mix wet and wild weather conditions, and farming can be a very hazardous job! Making safety a top priority and sticking to established safety procedures can dramatically lower the chances of injury.
Are you ready for KiwiSaver Changes?
June 2025
If you are an employer, you need to be aware of several changes to KiwiSaver which will come into effect on 1 July 2025, with other changes coming into effect in 2026 and 2028.
Changes effective from 1 July 2025
People aged 16 and 17 will qualify for government contributions, so long as they meet other eligibility requirements. Prior to 1 July 2025, members must be 18 or older to qualify.
Property Inspection Tips for Rural Landlords
April 2025
Why Routine Inspections Matter
Routine inspections are about more than just checking the property’s condition. They help landlords maintain property standards, ensure tenant satisfaction, and catch potential issues early.
And yes, landlords must provide a clean and habitable property, however property inspections also provide an opportunity to check that tenants are respecting the property and not using the rental property for any unlawful purpose.
Minimum wage is increasing on 1 April 2025. Are you ready?
March 2025
The details of the increase are:
Adult minimum wage will go up from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour.
Starting-out and training minimum wage will go up from $18.52 to $18.80 per hour.
All rates are before tax and any lawful deductions, for example, PAYE tax, student loan repayment, child support.
How to prepare for the increases:
Update your Payroll Systems to ensure new rates are relevant.